Substituted poly(arylene vinylenes), method for producing the same, and their use in electroluminescent elements

ABSTRACT

Poly(arylenevinylenes) comprising at least 20% of recurring units of the formula (I),  
                 
 
     where the symbols and indices have the following meanings:  
     Aryl: is an aryl group having  4  to  14  carbon atoms;  
     R′: is a substituent which is either in the labeled phenylene position  5  or  6  and is CN, F, Cl, N(R 1 R 2 ) or a straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkoxy or thioalkoxy group having  1  to  20  carbon atoms, in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by F;  
     R″: are identical or different and are CN, F, Cl or a straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl or alkoxy group having  1  to  20  carbon atoms, where one or more non-adjacent CH 2  groups may be replaced by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—, —O—CO—, —NR 1 —, —(NR 2 R 3 ) + —A −  or —CONR 4 —, and where one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, or an aryl group having  4  to  14  carbon atoms, which may be substituted by one or more non-aromatic radicals R′;  
     R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4  are identical or different and are H or an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical having  1  to  20  carbon atoms;  
     A − : is a singly charged anion or an equivalent thereof; and  
     n: is  0, 1, 2, 3, 4  or  5,    
     are suitable as electroluminescent materials.

[0001] There is a considerable demand in industry for large-areasolid-state light sources for a number of applications, predominantly inthe area of display elements, display screen technology and illuminationtechnology. The requirements made of these light sources can currentlynot be met entirely satisfactorily by any of the existing technologies.

[0002] As an alternative to conventional display and illuminationelements, such as incandescent lamps, gas-discharge lamps andnon-self-illuminating liquid-crystal display elements,electroluminescent (EL) materials and devices, such as light-emittingdiodes (LEDs), have already been in use for some time.

[0003] Besides inorganic electroluminescent materials and devices,low-molecular-weight, organic electroluminescent materials and deviceshave also been known for about 30 years (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No.3,172,862). Until recently, however, the practical utility of suchdevices was greatly restricted.

[0004] EP 423 283 and EP 443 861 describe electroluminescent deviceswhich contain a film of a conjugated polymer as light-emitting layer(semiconductor layer). Such devices have numerous advantages, such asthe possibility of producing large-area, flexible displays simply andinexpensively. In contrast to liquid-crystal displays,electroluminescent displays are self-illuminating and therefore do notrequire an additional back-lighting source.

[0005] A typical device in accordance with EP 423 283 consists of alight-emitting layer in the form of a thin, dense polymer film(semiconductor layer) which contains at least one conjugated polymer. Afirst contact layer is in contact with a first surface, and a secondcontact layer is in contact with a further surface of the semiconductorlayer. The polymer film of the semiconductor layer has a sufficientlylow concentration of extrinsic charge carriers so that, on applicationof an electric field between the two contact layers, charge carriers areintroduced into the semiconductor layer, where one contact layer becomespositive compared with the other, and the semiconductor layer emitsradiation. The polymers used in devices of this type are referred to asconjugated. The term “conjugated polymer” is taken to mean a polymerwhich has a delocalized electron system along the main chain. Thedelocalized electron system gives the polymer semiconductor propertiesand enables it to transport positive and/or negative charge carrierswith high mobility.

[0006] EP 423 283 and EP 443 861 describe, as polymeric material for thelight-emitting layer, poly(p-phenylenevinylene), which may be modifiedon the aromatic ring by alkyl, alkoxy, halogen or nitro substituents inorder to improve the properties. Polymers of this type have since thenbeen investigated in a large number of studies, andbisalkoxy-substituted PPVs in particular have already been optimized avery long way toward applicational maturity (of., for example, J.Salbeck, Ber. Bunsenges. Phys. Chem. 1996, 100, 1667).

[0007] The German patent application 196 52 261.7 with the title“Aryl-substituted poly(p-arylenevinylenes), process for theirpreparation, and their use in electroluminescent components”, which wasnot published before the priority date of the present application,proposes aryl-substituted poly(p-arylenevinylenes) which are alsosuitable for generating green electroluminescence.

[0008] However, the development of polymers of this type can in no waybe regarded as complete, and there continues to be plenty of room forimprovement. Thus, inter alia, improvements are still possible withrespect to the service life and stability, in particular at elevatedtemperatures.

[0009] The object of the present invention was therefore to provideelectroluminescent materials which, when used in illumination or displaydevices, are suitable for improving the property profile of thesedevices.

[0010] Surprisingly, it has now been found thatpoly(arylphenylenevinylenes) whose phenylene unit carries a furthersubstituent in the para- or meta-position to the aryl radical areparticularly suitable as electroluminescent materials.

[0011] The invention therefore relates to poly(arylenevinylenes)comprising at least 20% of recurring units of the formula (I),

[0012] where the symbols and indices have the following meanings:

[0013] Aryl: is an aryl group having 4 to 14 carbon atoms;

[0014] R′: is a substituent which is either in the labeled phenyleneposition 5 or 6 and is CN, F, Cl, N(R¹R²) or a straight-chain, branchedor cyclic alkyl, alkoxy or thioalkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by F;

[0015] R″: are identical or different and are CN, F, Cl or astraight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, where one or more non-adjacent CH₂ groups may be replacedby —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—, —O—CO—, —NR¹—, —(NR²R³)⁺—A⁻ or —CONR⁴—, andwhere one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, or an aryl group having4 to 14 carbon atoms, which may be substituted by one or morenon-aromatic radicals R′;

[0016] R¹, R², R³, R⁴ are identical or different and are H or analiphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms;

[0017] A⁻: is a singly charged anion or an equivalent thereof; and

[0018] n: is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

[0019] The polymers according to the invention are highly suitable foruse as electroluminescent materials. They have, for example, theadvantage of having constant brightness in long-term operation, even atelevated temperatures (for example heating for a number of hours at 85°C).

[0020] It is thus not necessary to adjust the voltage during long-termoperation in order to obtain an initial brightness. This advantage isparticularly evident in the case of battery operation, since the maximumvoltage economically possible is greatly restricted here.

[0021] Devices containing the polymers according to the invention alsohave a long service life.

[0022] Surprisingly, the polymers according to the invention have aparticularly low content of defect structures.

[0023] The polymers generally contain from 10 to 10,000, preferably from10 to 5000, particularly preferably from 100 to 500, very particularlypreferably from 250 to 2000, recurring units.

[0024] Polymers according to the invention comprise at least 20%,preferably at least 30%, particularly preferably at least 40%, ofrecurring units of the formula (I).

[0025] Furthermore, preference is also given to copolymers consisting ofrecurring units of the formula (I) and recurring units containing a2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene structure. Preference is likewisegiven to copolymers consisting of recurring units of the formula (I) andrecurring units containing a 2-aryl-1,4-arylenevinylene structure whichis not further substituted.

[0026] Preference is furthermore given to copolymers comprising 1, 2 or3 different recurring units of the formula (I).

[0027] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “copolymers”covers random, alternating, regular and block-like structures.

[0028] Preference is also given to polymers comprising recurring unitsof the formula (I) in which the symbols and indices have the followingmeanings:

[0029] Aryl is phenyl, 1- or 2-naphthyl, 1-, 2- or 9-anthracenyl, 2-, 3-or 4-pyridinyl, 2-, 4- or 5-pyrimidinyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3- or4-pyridazinyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinolinyl, 2- or3-thiophenyl, 2- or 3-pyrrolyl, 2- or 3-furanyl or2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl;

[0030] R′ are identical or different and are CN, F, Cl, CF₃ or astraight-chain or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms;

[0031] R″ are identical or different and are a straight-chain orbranched alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and

[0032] n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, particularly preferably 0, 1 or 2.

[0033] Particular preference is given to polymers in which the arylsubstituent in the formula (I) has the following meaning: phenyl,1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl or 9-anthracenyl.

[0034] Particular preference is furthermore given to polymers in whichthe aryl substituent in the formula (I) has the following substitutionpattern: 2-, 3- or 4-alkyl(oxy)phenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or3,5-dialkyl(oxy)phenyl, 2,3,4-, 2,3,5-, 2,3,6-, 2,4,5-, 2,4,6- or3,4,5-trialkyl(oxy)phenyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or8-alkyl(oxy)-1-naphthyl, 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or8-alkyl(oxy)-2-naphthyl or 10-alkyl(oxy)-9-anthracenyl.

[0035] The polymers according to the invention can be obtained, forexample, by dehydrohalogenation polymerization from starting materialsof the formula (II) in which the symbols and indices are as definedunder the formula (I), and Hal and Hal′ are Cl, Br or I; this isgenerally carried out by reacting one or more monomers with a suitablebase in a suitable solvent.

[0036] These monomers—with the exception of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl, bothof which were disclosed in WO 98/25874—are novel and are thereforelikewise a subject-matter of this invention.

[0037] To this end, the monomers are dissolved in suitable solvents insuitable concentrations, brought to the suitable reaction temperatureand mixed with the suitable amount of a suitable base. After a suitablereaction time has passed, the reaction solution can be terminated, forexample by addition of acid. The polymer is subsequently purified bysuitable methods familiar to the person skilled in the art, such as, forexample, reprecipitation or extraction.

[0038] Examples of suitable solvents are ethers (for example diethylether, THF, dioxane, dioxolane and tert-butyl methyl ether), aromatichydrocarbons (for example toluene, xylenes, anisole andmethylnaphthalene), alcohols (for example ethanol and tert-butanol),chlorinated compounds (for example chlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene)and mixtures of these solvents.

[0039] A suitable concentration range is the range from 0.005 to 5 mol/l(monomer/solution volume). Preference is given here to the range from0.01 to 2 mol/l, very particularly preferably to the range from 0.01 to0.5 mol/l.

[0040] The reaction temperature is generally from −80 to 200° C.,preferably from 20 to 140° C.

[0041] Examples of suitable bases are alkali metal hydroxides (NaOH andKOH), hydrides (NaH and KH) and alkoxides (NaOEt, KOEt, NaOMe, KOMe andKO Bu), organometallic compounds (nBuLi, sBuLi, tBuLi and PhLi) andorganic amines (LDA, DBU, DMAP and pyridine). A suitable amount is inthe range from 2 to 10 equivalents (based on one equivalent of monomer),preferably from 3.5 to 8 equivalents, particularly preferably from 4 to6 equivalents.

[0042] The reaction time is generally from 5 minutes to 24 hours,preferably from 0.5 to 6 hours, very particularly preferably from 1 to 4hours.

[0043] This process is likewise a subject-matter of the invention.

[0044] The biaryl derivatives indicated in the formula (II) can beobtained by the route outlined in Scheme 1:

[0045] The starting compounds of the formulae (III) and (IV) are veryreadily accessible since they can be prepared in a simple manner and inlarge amounts from commercially available compounds.

[0046] The reactions in Scheme 2 can be explained as follows: the1,4-dimethyl compound (VI) is generally commercially available (forexample 2,5-dimethylphenol, 2,5-dimethylaniline,2,5-dimethylbenzonitrile or 2,5-dimethylanisole) or can be preparedsimply from commercially available compounds (for example alkylation ofa corresponding phenol or amine). The compound (VI) can be halogenated,for example chlorinated or brominated, on the aromatic ring by standardmethods (see, for example, Organikum [Synthetic Organic Chemistry], VEBDeutscher Verlag der Wissenschaften, 15^(th) Edition, pp. 391 ff.,Leipzig 1984). The resultant compounds (VII) are accessible in goodyields and in industrial quantities. Analogously, the compounds of thetype (VI′) are also either commercially available or can be preparedeasily (for example 2,5-dibromo-p-xylene). These compounds can thenlikewise be converted into compounds of the type (VII) by standardreactions (for example nucleophilic substitution of a halogen by analkoxy radical).

[0047] (VII) can be converted, preferably catalytically (cobaltcatalyst, atmospheric oxygen, see, for example, EP-A 0 121 684) into thecorresponding 1,4-dicarboxylic acids (IIIa). Given a suitable choice ofthe reaction conditions, this is possible irrespective of thesubstituent. The resultant acids, (IIIa) with R=H, can, if desired, beconverted into the corresponding esters (R≠H) by standard methods.

[0048] The compounds of the formula (IIIa), which are obtained virtuallyquantitatively in this way, can be converted into the bisalcohols (IIIb)by conventional reduction reactions. These bisalcohols are alsoobtainable directly from the compounds of the formula (VII) by oxidation(see, for example, A. Belli et al., Synthesis 1980, 477).

[0049] It may also prove advantageous to delay conversion of thesubstituent (P′) into the substituent (R′) until the stage of thecarboxylic acid or its ester, i.e. to delay carrying out reaction (1′)until this point. This is principally appropriate in the case oflong-chain alkoxy substituents, since these would otherwise possibly bedestroyed by air oxidation.

[0050] The halogen atom can, if desired, be replaced by a boric acid,borate or trialkyltin group at a suitable stage, as described below forthe compounds the formula (IVa).

[0051] The corresponding perfluoroalkylsulfonates can be prepared, forexample, by esterification of corresponding phenol functions.

[0052] Scheme 3 can be explained as follows: the compounds (VIII) aregenerally commercially available (for example diverse alkyl- anddialkylaromatic compounds or alkoxyaromatic compounds) or can beprepared simply from corresponding precursors (for example hydroquinone,pyrocatechol, naphthol and the like), for example by alkylation. Thecompound (VIII) can then be converted into compounds of the formula(IVa) by simple halogenation reactions (Reaction 5), as described above.Many compounds of the formula (IV) are inexpensive chemicals (forexample bromophenol and bromoaniline) which can be converted simply intocompounds of the formula (IVa) by Reaction 6 (for example alkylation ofphenyl functions). These compounds of the formula (IVa) can then bemetallated by corresponding reagents (for example Mg turnings, n-BuLi ors-BuLi) and then converted into the corresponding compounds of theformula (IVb) or (IVc) by corresponding further reaction, for examplewith trialkyltin chloride or trialkyl borate.

[0053] It can thus be seen that the starting compounds (III) and (IV)are accessible in a simple manner in the requisite range of variations.The starting compounds (III) and (IV) are converted into intermediatesof the formula (V) by a coupling reaction (Reaction A in Scheme 1).

[0054] To this end, the compounds of the formulae (III) and (IV) arereacted in an inert solvent at a temperature in the range from 0° C. to200° C. in the presence of a palladium catalyst.

[0055] In each case one of these compounds, preferably the compound ofthe formula (III), contains a halogen or perfluoroalkylsulfonate groupand the other contains a boric acid or borate group (IVb) or atrialkyltin group (IVc).

[0056] In order to carry out the above reaction A with boric acids orborates of the formula (IVb), Variant Aa, Suzuki coupling, the aromaticboron compound, the aromatic halogen compound or theperfluoroalkylsulfonate, a base and catalytic amounts of the palladiumcatalyst are added to water or to one or more inert organic solvents orpreferably to a mixture of water and one or more inert organic solventsand stirred at a temperature of from 0 to 200° C., preferably from 30 to170° C., particularly preferably from 50 to 150° C., especiallypreferably from 60 to 120° C., for a period of from 1 hour to 100 hours,preferably from 5 hours to 70 hours, particularly preferably from 5hours to 50 hours. The crude product can be purified by methods known tothe person skilled in the art and appropriate for the respectiveproduct, for example by recrystallization, distillation, sublimation,zone melting, melt crystallization or chromatography.

[0057] Examples of organic solvents which are suitable for the processdescribed are ethers, for example diethyl ether, dimethoxyethane,diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, dioxolane,diisopropyl ether and tert-butyl methyl ether, hydrocarbons, for examplehexane, isohexane, heptane, cyclohexane, toluene and xylene, alcohols,for example methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, ethylene glycol,1-butanol, 2-butanol and tert-butanol, ketones, for example acetone,ethyl methyl ketone and isobutyl methyl ketone, amides, for exampledimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide and N-methylpyrrolidone, andnitriles, for example acetonitrile, propionitrile and butyronitrile, andmixtures thereof.

[0058] Preferred organic solvents are ethers, such as dimethoxyethane,diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane anddiisopropyl ether, hydrocarbons, such as hexane, heptane, cyclohexane,toluene and xylene, alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol,2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, tert-butanol and ethylene glycol,ketones, such as ethyl methyl ketone and isobutyl methyl ketone, amides,such as dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide and N-methylpyrrolidone,and mixtures thereof.

[0059] Particularly preferred solvents are ethers, for exampledimethoxyethane and tetrahydrofuran, hydrocarbons, for examplecyclohexane, toluene and xylene, alcohols, for example ethanol,1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol and tert-butanol, and mixturesthereof.

[0060] In a particularly preferred variant, water and one or morewater-insoluble solvents are employed in the process described. Examplesare mixtures of water and toluene and water, toluene andtetrahydrofuran.

[0061] Bases which are preferably used in the process described arealkali and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkali and alkaline earthmetal carbonates, alkali metal hydrogencarbonates, alkali and alkalineearth metal acetates, alkali and alkaline earth metal alkoxides, andprimary, secondary and tertiary amines.

[0062] Particular preference is given to alkali and alkaline earth metalhydroxides, alkali and alkaline earth metal carbonates and alkali metalhydrogencarbonates.

[0063] Particular preference is given to alkali metal hydroxides, suchas sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, and alkali metal carbonatesand alkali metal hydrogencarbonates, such as lithium carbonate, sodiumcarbonate and potassium carbonate.

[0064] The base is preferably employed in the above process in aproportion of from 100 to 1000 mol %, particularly preferably from 100to 500 mol %, very particularly preferably from 150 to 400 mol %,especially from 180 to 250 mol %, based on the aromatic boron compound.

[0065] The palladium catalyst contains palladium metal or a palladium(0)or palladium(II) compound and a complex ligand, preferably a phosphineligand.

[0066] The two components can form a compound, for example theparticularly preferred Pd(PPh₃)₄, or can be employed separately.

[0067] Examples of suitable palladium components are palladiumcompounds, such as palladium ketonates, palladium acetylacetonates,nitrilopalladium halides, olefinpalladium halides, palladium halides,allylpalladium halides and palladium biscarboxylates, preferablypalladium ketonates, palladium acetylacetonates, bis-η²-olefinpalladiumdihalides, palladium(II) halides, η³-allylpalladium halide dimers andpalladium biscarboxylates, very particularly preferablybis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium(0) [Pd(dba)₂)], Pd(dba)₂ CHCl₃,palladium bisacetylacetonate, bis(benzonitrile)palladium dichloride,PdCl₂, Na₂PdCl₄, dichlorobis(dimethylsulfoxide)palladium(II),bis(acetonitrile)palladium dichloride, palladium(II) acetate,palladium(II) propionate, palladium(II) butanoate and(1c,5c-cyclooctadiene)palladium dichloride.

[0068] The catalyst can also be palladium in metallic form, referred tobelow as simply palladium, preferably palladium in powdered form or on asupport material, for example palladium on activated carbon, palladiumon aluminum oxide, palladium on barium carbonate, palladium on bariumsulfate, palladium on aluminum silicates, such as montmorillonite,palladium on SiO₂ and palladium on calcium carbonate, in each case witha palladium content of from 0.5 to 10% by weight. Particular preferenceis given to palladium in powdered form, palladium on activated carbon,palladium on barium and/or calcium carbonate and palladium on bariumsulfate, in each case with a palladium content of from 0.5 to 10% byweight. Particular preference is given to palladium on activated carbonwith a palladium content of 5 or 10% by weight.

[0069] The palladium catalyst is employed in the process according tothe invention in a proportion of from 0.01 to 10 mol %, preferably from0.05 to 5 mol %, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 3 mol %, especiallypreferably from 0.1 to 1.5 mol %, based on the aromatic halogen compoundor the perfluoroalkylsulfonate.

[0070] Examples of ligands which are suitable for the process arephosphines, such as trialkylphosphines, tricycloalkylphosphines andtriarylphosphines, where the three substituents on the phosphorus may beidentical or different, chiral or achiral, and where one or more of theligands can link the phosphorus groups from a plurality of phosphines,and where part of this link may also be one or more metal atoms.

[0071] Examples of phosphines which can be used in the process describedhere are trimethylphosphine, trimethylphosphine, tricyclohexylphosphine,triphenylphosphine, trisolylphosphine, tris(o-tolyl)phosphine,tris(4-dimethyl-aminophenyl)phosphine, bis(diphenylphosphano)methane,1,2-bis(diphenylphosphano)ethane, 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphano)propane and1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphano)ferrocene.

[0072] Examples of other suitable ligands are diketones, for exampleacetylacetone and octafluoroacetylacetone, and tertiary amines, forexample trimethylamine, triethylamine, tri-n-propylamine andtriisopropylamine.

[0073] Preferred ligands are phosphines and diketones, particularlypreferably phosphines.

[0074] Very particularly preferred ligands are triphenylphosphine,1,2-bis(diphenylphosphano)ethane, 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphano)propane and1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphano)ferrocene, in particular triphenylphospine.

[0075] Also suitable for the process are water-soluble ligandscontaining, for example, sulfonic acid salt and/or sulfonic acidradicals and/or carboxylic acid salt and/or carboxylic acid radicalsand/or phosphonic acid salt and/or phosphonic acid radicals and/orphosphonium groups and/or peralkyl-ammonium groups and/or hydroxylgroups and/or polyether groups of suitable chain length.

[0076] Preferred classes of water-soluble ligands are phosphinessubstituted by the above groups, such as trialkylphosphines,tricycloalkylphosphines, triarylphosphines, dialkylarylphosphines,alkyldiarylphosphines and heteroarylphosphines, such astripyridylphosphine and trifurylphosphine, where the three substituentson the phosphorus may be identical or different, chiral or achiral, andwhere one or more of the ligands can link the phosphorus groups from aplurality of phosphines, and where part of this link may also be one ormore metal atoms, phosphites, phosphinites and phosphonites, phosphols,dibenzophosphols and cyclic and oligo- and polycyclic compoundscontaining phosphorus atoms.

[0077] The ligand is employed in the process in a proportion of from 0.1to 20 mol %, preferably from 0.2 to 15 mol %, particularly preferablyfrom 0.5 to 10 mol %, especially preferably from 1 to 6 mol %, based onthe aromatic halogen compound or the perfluoroalkylsulfonate. It is alsopossible, if desired, to employ mixtures of two or more differentligands.

[0078] All or some of the boronic acid derivative employed can be in theform of the anhydride.

[0079] Advantageous embodiments of the variant Aa process described aredescribed, for example, in WO 94/101 05, EP-A-679 619, WO-A-694 530 andPCT/EP 96/03154, which are expressly incorporated herein by way ofreference.

[0080] In variant Ab, also known as the Stille coupling, an aromatic tincompound, preferably of the formula (IVc), is reacted with an aromatichalogen compound or an aromatic perfluoroalkylsulfonate, preferably ofthe formula (III), at a temperature in the range from 0° C. to 200° C.in an inert organic solvent in the presence of a palladium catalyst.

[0081] A review of this reaction is given, for example, in J. K. Stille,Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. Engl. 1986, 25, 508.

[0082] In order to carry out the process, the aromatic tin compound[lacuna] the aromatic halogen compound or the perfluoroalkylsulfonateare preferably introduced into one or more inert organic solvents andstirred at a temperature of from 0° C. to 200° C., preferably from 30°C. to 170° C., particularly preferably from 50° C. to 150° C.,especially preferably from 60° C. to 120° C., for a period of from 1hour to 100 hours, preferably from 5 hours to 70 hours, particularlypreferably from 5 hours to 50 hours. When the reaction is complete, thePd catalyst obtained as a solid is separated off, for example byfiltration, and the crude product is freed from solvent or solvents.Further purification can subsequently be carried out by methods known tothe person skilled in the art and appropriate for the respectiveproduct, for example by recrystallization, distillation, sublimation,zone melting, melt crystallization or chromatography.

[0083] Examples of organic solvents which are suitable for the processdescribed are ethers, for example diethyl ether, dimethoxyethane,diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, dioxolane,diisopropyl ether and tert-butyl methyl ether, hydrocarbon, for examplehexane, isohexane, heptane, cyclohexane, benzene, toluene and xylene,alcohols, for example methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol,ethylene glycol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol and tert-butanol, ketones, forexample acetone, ethyl methyl ketone and isobutyl methyl ketones,amides, for example dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylacetamide andN-methylpyrrolidone, and nitrites, for example acetonitrile,propionitrile and butyronitrile, and mixtures thereof.

[0084] Preferred organic solvents are ethers, such as dimethoxyethane,diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane anddiisopropyl ether, hydrocarbons, such as hexane, heptane, cyclohexane,benzene, toluene and xylene, alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol,1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, tert-butanol and ethyleneglycol, ketones, such as ethyl methyl ketone, or amides, such as DMF.

[0085] Particularly preferred solvents are amides, very particularlypreferably DMF.

[0086] The palladium catalyst contains palladium metal or a palladium(0)or palladium(II) compound and a complex ligand, preferably a phosphineligand.

[0087] The two components can form a compound, for example Pd(PPh₃)₄, orcan be employed separately.

[0088] Examples of suitable palladium components are palladiumcompounds, such as palladium ketonates, palladium acetylacetonates,nitrilopalladium halides, olefinpalladium halides, palladium halides,allylpalladium halides and palladium biscarboxylates, preferablypalladium ketonates, palladium acetylacetonates, bis-η²-olefinpalladiumdihalides, palladium(II) halides, η³-allylpalladium halide dimers andpalladium biscarboxylates, very particularly preferablybis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium(0) [Pd(dba)₂)], Pd(dba)₂ CHCl₃,palladium bisacetylacetonate, bis(benzonitrile)palladium dichloride,PdCl₂, Na₂PdCl₄, dichlorobis(dimethylsulfoxide)palladium(II),bis(acetonitrile)palladium dichloride, palladium(II) acetate,palladium(II) propionate, palladium(II) butanoate and(1c,5c-cyclooctadiene)palladium dichloride.

[0089] The palladium catalyst is employed in the process described in aproportion of from 0.01 to 10 mol %, preferably from 0.05 to 5 mol %,particularly preferably from 0.1 to 3 mol %, especially preferably from0.1 to 1.5 mol %, based on the aromatic halogen compound or theperfluoroalkylsulfonates.

[0090] Examples of ligands which are suitable for the process describedare phosphines, such as trialkylphosphines, tricycloalkylphosphines andtriarylphosphines, where the three substituents on the phosphorus may beidentical or different, chiral or achiral, and where one or more of theligands can link the phosphorus groups from a plurality of phosphines,and where part of this link may also be one or more metal atoms.

[0091] The ligand is employed in the process described in a proportionof from 0.1 to 20 mol %, preferably from 0.2 to 15 mol %, particularlypreferably from 0.5 to 10 mol %, especially preferably from 1 to 6 mol%, based on the aromatic halogen compound or theperfluoroalkylsulfonate.

[0092] Reaction B

[0093] If the group X′ in the intermediate (V) is —COOR, it is reducedto the bisalcohol, X′═CH₂OH.

[0094] The reduction can be carried out by known methods familiar to theperson skilled in the art, as described, for example, in Houben-Weyl,4^(th) Edn. Vol. 6, 16, Chapter VIII, Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart1984.

[0095] Preferred embodiments are the following:

[0096] a) Reaction with LiAIH₄ or diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL-H)in tetrahydrofuran (THF) or toluene, as described, for example, inOrganikum [Synthetic Organic Chemistry] (see above), pp. 612 ff.

[0097] b) Reaction with boron hydrides, such as BH₃, as described, forexample, in Houben-Weyl, 4^(th) Edn. Vol. 6, 16, Chapter VIII, pp.211-219, Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart 1984.

[0098] c) Reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, asdescribed, for example, in Houben-Weyl, 4^(th) Edn. Vol. 6, 16, ChapterVII, pp. 110 ff., Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart 1984.

[0099] d) Reaction with sodium or sodium hydride.

[0100] Particular preference is given to reduction using LiAlH₄ orDIBAL-H.

[0101] Reaction C

[0102] In accordance with the invention, the OH groups in thebisalcohols of the formula (V) can be replaced by halogen bynucleophilic substitution.

[0103] In order to prepare chlorides and bromides, it is preferred toreact the corresponding bisalcohol with HCl or HBr, for example inglacial acetic acid (see, for example, Houben-Weyl, Volume 5/4, pp. 385ff., 1960) or with thionyl chloride or bromide, if desired in thepresence of a catalyst (see, for example, Houben-Weyl, Volume 5/1b, pp.862 ff., 1962).

[0104] Chlorides can also preferably be prepared by reaction withphosgene (see, for example, Houben-Weyl, Volume V, 3, pp. 952 ff, 1962)or with BCl₃, and bromides by reaction with PBr₃.

[0105] Iodides can preferably be prepared by reaction withphosphorus/iodine by the method of A. I. Vogel (see, for example,Houben-Weyl, Volume V, 4, pp. 615 ff., 1969).

[0106] Alternatively, the halides can be interchanged in a comparablemanner to the FINKELSTEIN reaction; thus, monomers containing twodifferent halides, or mixtures thereof, can also advantageously beemployed. The work-up is carried out in all cases in a simple manner byknown methods familiar to a person skilled in the art.

[0107] The synthetic methods described here enable, for example, thepreparation of the following monomers which can be converted intopolymers according to the invention.

Monomer 1 Monomer 2

Monomer 3 Monomer 4

Monomer 5 Monomer 6

Monomer 7 Monomer 8

Monomer 9 Monomer 10

Monomer 11 Monomer 12

Monomer 13 Monomer 14

Monomer 15 Monomer 16

Monomer 17 Monomer 18

Monomer 19 Monomer 20

Monomer 21 Monomer 22

Monomer 23 Monomer 24

Monomer 25

[0108] Key: C₄: 2-methylpropyl; C₈: 2-ethylhexyl; C₁₀:3,7-dimethyloctyl.

[0109] Polymers comprising recurring units of the formula (I) can beprepared from the monomers of the formula (II) accessible in this way bythe polymerization variant indicated above—if desired with addition offurther comonomers. Comonomers of this type are, for example, thecompounds shown below.

Monomer A Monomer B

Monomer C Monomer D

Monomer E Monomer F

Monomer G Monomer H

Monomer I Monomer J

Monomer K Monomer L

Monomer M Monomer N

Monomer O Monomer P

Monomer Q Monomer R

Monomer S Monomer T

[0110] Key: C₄: 2-methylpropyl; C₈: 2-ethylhexyl; C₁₀:3,7-dimethyloctyl.

[0111] The homopolymers or copolymers according to the inventionproduced in this way are very particularly suitable aselectroluminescent materials. For the purposes of the present invention,the term “electroluminescent materials” is taken to mean materials whichcan be used as an active layer in an electroluminescent device. The term“active layer” means that the layer is capable of emitting light(light-emitting layer) on application of an electric field and/or thatit improves the injection and/or transport of the positive and/ornegative charges (charge injection or charge transport layer).

[0112] The invention therefore also relates to the use of a polymercomprising at least 20% of recurring units of the formula (I) in anelectroluminescent device, in particular as electroluminescent material.

[0113] In order to be used as electroluminescent materials, the polymerscomprising structural units of the formula (I) are generally applied inthe form of a film to a substrate by known methods familiar to theperson skilled in the art, such as dipping or spin coating.

[0114] The invention thus likewise relates to an electroluminescentdevice having one or more active layers, where at least one of theseactive layers comprises one or more polymers according to the invention.The active layer can be, for example, a light-emitting layer and/or atransport layer and/or a charge-injection layer.

[0115] The general construction of electroluminescent devices of thistype is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,539,507 and5,151,629. Electroluminescent devices containing polymers are described,for example, in WO-A 90/13148 and EP-A 0 443 861.

[0116] They usually contain an electroluminescent layer between anegative electrode and a positive electrode, where at least one of theelectrodes is transparent. In addition, one or more electron-injectionand/or electron-transport layers can be introduced between theelectroluminescent layer and the negative electrode and/or one or morehole-injection and/or hole-transport layers can be introduced betweenthe electroluminescent layer and the positive electrode. Suitablenegative electrodes are preferably metals or metal alloys, for exampleCa, Mg, Al, In or Mg/Ag. The positive electrodes can be metals, forexample Au, or other metallically conducting substances, such as oxides,for example ITO (indium oxide/tin oxide) on a transparent substrate, forexample made of glass or a transparent polymer.

[0117] In operation, the negative electrode is set to a negativepotential compared with the positive electrode. Electrons are injectedby the negative electrode into the electron-injectionlayer/electron-transport layer or directly into the light-emittinglayer. At the same time, holes are injected by the positive electrodeinto the hole-injection layer/hole-transport layer or directly into thelight-emitting layer.

[0118] The injected charge carriers move through the active layerstoward one another under the effect of the applied voltage. This resultsin electron/hole pairs recombining at the interface between thecharge-transport layer and the light-emitting layer or within thelight-emitting layer with emission of light.

[0119] The color of the emitted light can be varied by means of thematerials used as light-emitting layer.

[0120] Electroluminescent devices are used, for example, asself-illuminating display elements, such as control lamps, alphanumericdisplays, signs and in opto-electronic couplers.

[0121] The invention is explained in greater detail by the exampleswhich follow, without this being intended to represent a limitation.

[0122] Part 1: Synthesis of the Monomers

[0123] A. Synthesis of Compounds of the Formula (III)

EXAMPLE A1 Synthesis of diethyl 2-bromo-5-methoxyterephthalate a)Synthesis of 4-bromo-2,5-dimethylanisole

[0124] Bromine (291.5 g, 1835 mmol) was added dropwise with stirring toan initially introduced mixture of 2,5-dimethylanisole (250 g, 1835mmol) and Fe powder (3.25 g). The commencement of the reaction wasevident from gas evolution. The remainder of the bromine wassubsequently added dropwise over the course of 3040 minutes at roomtemperature with water-bath cooling. The reaction mixture was stirredfor about a further 4 hours. The Fe powder was subsequently separatedoff, a little chloroform was added to the solution, and the solution waswashed by shaking with water, resulting in the solution becoming paler.After the solution had been shaken with 50 ml of saturated aqueousNa₂SO₃ solution, it had become completely colorless. The solution wasshaken again with dilute aqueous NaOH and twice with H₂O and dried, andthe solvent was stripped off. The crude product was subjected tofractional distillation under reduced pressure.

[0125] The product was obtained as a viscous, colorless oil (boilingpoint 68° C., 0.8 mbar): 285 g (72%)

[0126]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.25 (s, 1 H, H-aryl), 6.68 (s, 1 H,H-aryl), 3.78 (s, 3 H, O—Me), 2.36, 2.14 (each s, 3+3 H, CH₃).

b) Synthesis of 2-bromo-5-methoxyterephthalic acid

[0127] A solution of cobalt acetate tetrahydrate (1.25 g, 5 mmol),manganese acetate tetrahydrate (1.23 g), HBr (0.81 g), sodium acetate(1.37 g) and 4-bromo-2,5-dimethylanisole (107.5 g, 0.5 mol) in 380 g ofglacial acetic acid was introduced into a 1 l autoclave (HC-22) fittedwith disk agitator, reflux condenser, gas inlet and gas outlet. Thereaction solution was heated to 150° C. with stirring under a nitrogenatmosphere (17 bar). Air (17 bar) was passed through the solution(180-200 I/h) at this temperature, after which the exothermic reactionimmediately commenced. The reaction temperature remained at 150° C. dueto external cooling. The exothermic reaction was complete after about 45minutes. In order to facilitate a subsequent reaction, an air/nitrogenmixture (10% of O₂) was passed through the solution at 150° C. for 30minutes. The supply of air was then terminated, and nitrogen wasintroduced.

[0128] The reactor contents were cooled to 100° C. under a nitrogenatmosphere, discharged into a flask as a solution and cooled to 20° C.with stirring, during which the product crystallized out. The colorlesscrystal slurry was filtered off with suction and washed four times with40 g of glacial acetic acid each time.

[0129] Drying gave 96.2 g of 2-bromo-5-methoxyterephthalic acid (70%).

[0130]¹H NMR (DMSO): [ppm]=13.5 (br, 2 H, COOH), 7.87 (s, 1 H, H-aryl),7.42 (s, 1 H, H-aryl), 3.88 (s, 3 H, O—Me).

c) Synthesis of diethyl 2-bromo-5-methoxyterephthalate

[0131] 2-Bromo-5-methoxyterephthalic acid (202.89 g, 738 mmol) wasinitially introduced with 500 ml of EtOH under a protective gas, andH₂SO₄ was then added at RT with stirring. The mixture was subsequentlyrefluxed at an internal temperature of 78° C., and EtOH was distilledoff until the internal temperature was above 100° C. Ethanol was firstlyadded once more and then distilled off again. The process was repeateduntil only the diester was present according to TLC. Finally, all theethanol was stripped off, the resultant crude product was taken up inethyl acetate and extracted with aqueous NaHCO₃ solution, and finally,after phase separation and drying, all the solvent was again strippedoff. The solidified solid obtained was, after comminution, purified bystirring with hexane, giving 190.4 g (78%) of pale-yellow crystals.

[0132] Melting point: 61-63° C.

[0133]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=8.00 (s, 1 H, H-aryl), 7.34 (s, 1 H,H-aryl), 4.43+4.37 (each q, 2+2 H, OCH₂, J=7.5 Hz), 3.92 (s, 3 H, O—Me),1.42+1.38 (each t, 3+3 H, CH₃, J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE A2 Synthesis of diethyl 2-bromo-5-fluoroterephthalate a)Synthesis of 2-bromo-5-nitro-p-xylene

[0134] 740 g of bromo-p-xylene were initially introduced in aceticanhydride (ice-bath cooling) and nitrating acid (prepared from 400 ml offuming nitric acid and 480 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid) was slowlyadded dropwise. During the addition, it was ensured that the internaltemperature remained between 22° C.-25° C. When the addition wascomplete (duration about 5 hours), the ice bath was removed, and themixture was stirred at RT for about a further 1 hour.

[0135] The entire batch was poured onto 4 l of ice with vigorousstirring; a viscous oil separated out during this operation. The aqueousphase was decanted off, water was again added to the oil, and themixture was stirred. This procedure (decanting off and purification) wasrepeated three times. Finally, methanol was added, giving a crystalline-solid, which was filtered off with suction and recrystallized againfrom a little methanol, finally giving 230 g (30%) of orange-yellowcrystals.

[0136] Melting point: 62-65° C.

[0137]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.88 (s, 1 H, H-aryl), 7.53 (s, 1 H,H-aryl), 2.55, 2.44 (each s, 3+3 H, CH₃).

b) Synthesis of 2-amino-5-bromo-p-xylene

[0138] 316 g of 2-bromo-5-nitro-p-xylene were dissolved in 3000 ml ofmethanol, freshly produced Raney nickel (about 4 g) was added under avigorous stream of N₂, and the mixture was heated to reflux withvigorous stirring. 275 ml of hydrazine hydrate (80% in water) were thenslowly added dropwise. When the dropwise addition was complete (durationabout 5 hours), the mixture was refluxed for about a further 6 hours.The catalyst was filtered off, the methanol was removed in a rotaryevaporator, the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate, and the solutionwas washed by shaking with water, dried and re-evaporated in a rotaryevaporator. The resultant crude product was recrystallized from heptane,giving 238 g (87%) of pale-green crystals.

[0139] Melting point: 92-93° C.

[0140]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.18 (s, 1 H, H-aryl), 6.56 (s, 1 H,H-aryl), 3,6 (s (br), 2 H, NH₂), 2.27, 2.09 (each s, 3+3 H, CH₃).

c) Synthesis of 2-bromo-5-fluoro-p-xylene

[0141] 373 g of 2-amino-5-bromo-p-xylene were suspended in 1860 ml ofH₂O in a 4 l four-necked flask, the mixture was cooled to 3° C.(internal temperature), and 612 ml of tetrafluoroboric acid were added.154 g of NaNO₂ in 300 ml of water were then added dropwise over thecourse of 60 minutes. After 60 minutes, the solid was filtered off withsuction and washed with a little cold 5% tetrafluoroboric acid, thenwith a little cold methanol and finally with a little cold diethylether. The yellow solid (497 g=90%) was dried overnight in an oil-pumpvacuum.

[0142] The batch was then halved, and each half was suspended in about500 ml of toluene. The suspensions were heated using a hair drier; eachtime vigorous evolution of gas commenced, the heating was stopped untilit subsided again. Finally, the mixture was refluxed until the evolutionof gas was complete. The toluene was removed in a rotary evaporator, andthe product was purified by distillation under reduced pressure (0.1mbar, 54-57° C.), giving (in total) 232 g (61%) of colorless oil.

[0143]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.32 (d, 1 H, H-aryl, J_(H-F)=7 Hz), 6.88(d, 1 H, H-aryl, J_(H-F)=10 Hz), 2.33 (s, 3 H, CH₃), 2.21 (d, 3 H, CH₃,J_(H-F)=2 Hz).

d) Synthesis of 2-bromo-5-fluoroterephthalic acid

[0144] The reaction was carried out analogously to Example A1 (b).

[0145] Drying gave 88% 2-bromo-5-fluoroterephthalic acid.

[0146]¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): [ppm]=13.8 (br, 2 H, COOH), 8.07 (d, 1 H,H-aryl, J_(H-F)=7 Hz), 7.68 (d, 1 H, H-aryl, J_(H-F)=10.5 Hz).

e) Synthesis of diethyl 2-bromo-5-fluoroterephthalate

[0147] The reaction was carried out analogously to Example A1 (c).Purification was carried out by stirring with hexane.

[0148] Drying gave 99% of diethyl 2-bromo-5-fluoroterephthalate as avirtually white powder.

[0149] Melting point: 30° C.

[0150]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=8.19 (d, 1 H, H-aryl, J_(H-F)=6.5 Hz), 7.56(d, 1 H, H-aryl, J_(H-F)=10.5 Hz), 4.43+4.42 (each q, 2+2 H, OCH₂, J=7.5Hz), 1.42+1.41 (each t, 3+3 H, CH₃, J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE A3 Synthesis of diethyl 2-bromo-5-chloroterephthalate a)Synthesis of 2-bromo-5-chloro-p-xylene

[0151] Chloro-p-xylene was brominated analogously to Example A1 (a).

[0152] Recrystallization from methanol gave 72% of2-bromo-5-chloro-p-xylene as a white powder.

[0153] Melting point: 66-67° C.

[0154]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.38 (s, 1 H, H-aryl), 7.19 (s, 1 H,H-aryl), 2.32, 2.30 (each s, 3+3 H, CH₃).

b) Synthesis of 2-bromo-5-chloroterephthalic acid

[0155] The reaction was carried out analogously to Example A1 (b).

[0156] Drying gave 87% of 2-bromo-5-chloroterephthalic acid.

[0157]¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): [ppm]=13.9 (br, 2 H, COOH), 8.07 (s, 1 H,H-aryl), 7.88 (s, 1 H, H-aryl).

c) Synthesis of diethyl 2-bromo-5-chloroterephthalate

[0158] The reaction was carried out analogously to Example A1 (c). Thepurification was carried out by stirring with hexane.

[0159] Drying gave 98% of diethyl 2-bromo-5-chloroterephthalate as avirtually white powder.

[0160] Melting point: 125° C.

[0161]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=8.08 (s, 1 H, H-aryl), 7.84 (s, 1 H,H-aryl), 4.43+4.41 (each q, 2+2 H, OCH₂, J=7.5 Hz), 1.42+1.38 (each t,3+3 H, CH₃, J=7.5 Hz).

[0162] B. Synthesis of Compounds of the Formula (IV)

EXAMPLE B1 Synthesis of 3-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzeneboronic acid a)Synthesis of 3-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)bromobenzene

[0163] 450 ml of ethanol were initially introduced, and Nal (10.5 g; 70mmol) and KOH (67.3 g; 1.2 mol) were added. A temperature increase from25 to 40° C. after addition of the KOH was observed. After the mixturehad been cooled to room temperate, 3-bromophenol (176.5 g; 1 mol) wasadded, during which the white suspension became beige.

[0164] 3,7-Dimethyloctyl chloride (186.32 g; 212.94 ml; 1,05 mol) wasadded over the course of 3 minutes via a dropping funnel. The mixturewas stirred at RT for a further 2 hours and subsequently stirred at aninternal temperature of 80° C. for 96 hours. Ethanol was distilled off.The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate, and the precipitate wasseparated off by filtration. The organic phase was extracted three timeswith 10% strength by weight aqueous NaOH solution and washed once withH₂O, three times with H₂O which had been acidified using CO₂ and againwith H₂O. After the mixture had been dried using MgSO₄, the solvent wasstripped off again in a rotary evaporator, and the crude product waspurified by fractional distillation under reduced pressure.

[0165] Product: high-boiling colorless oil; 180° C. at 2-3 mbar; 262.3 g(84%)

[0166]¹H NMR (400 MHz; CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.12 (pseudo-t; 1 H; J=8 Hz; H-5),7.05 (m; 2 H; H-2, H-6), 6.81 (ddd; 1 H; J₁=8, J₂=2, J₃=0.7 Hz; H-4),3.97 (m; 2 H; O—CH₂), 1.81 (m; 1 H; O—CH₂—CH₂—CH), 1.70-1.50 (m; 3 H;H-alkyl), 1.35-1.13 (m; 6 H; H-alkyl), 0.93 (d; 3 H; J=7.7 Hz; CH₃),0.87 (d; 6 H; J=7.7 Hz; CH₃).

b) Synthesis of 3-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzeneboronic acid

[0167] Mg turnings (24.7 g, 1.02 mol) were initially introduced, and theapparatus was dried by heating under argon. About 100 ml of THF wereintroduced at room temperature via the dropping funnel, and a fewcrystals of iodine were added. A few ml of3-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)bromobenzene were subsequently added dropwise tothe static solution, and the mixture was heated at the point where thedrops entered using a hot-air blower. When the reaction had commenced,the remainder of the 3-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)bromobenzene (total: 313 g,1 mol, 280 ml) was continuously added dropwise (70 minutes) withstirring. At the same time, a further 1100 ml of THF were added. Thereaction batch was refluxed for a further two hours.

[0168] The resultant Grignard reagent was, after cooling to roomtemperature, added dropwise under a protective gas and with rapidstirring to a mixture, cooled to −70° C., of 800 ml of THF and 123 ml oftrimethyl borate (114 g, 1.10 mol) at such a rate that the internaltemperature did not exceed −60° C. (duration: 3 hours). A palesuspension formed.

[0169] The reaction mixture was stirred into 1200 g of ice water/40 mlof conc. H₂SO₄. The clear phases were separated, and the water phase wasextracted by shaking with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phaseswere stirred with water, dried and evaporated.

[0170] For further purification, the colorless solid obtained in thisway was stirred with about 500 ml of hexane (to which 2 ml of conc.aqueous HCl had been added), giving 239 g (86%) of a colorless crystalpowder.

[0171] Melting point: 83-89° C.

[0172]¹H NMR (400 MHz; CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.81 (td; 1 H; J₁=8, J₂=1.3 Hz;H-4), 7.73 (dd; 1 H; J₁=2, J₂=1.1 Hz; H-2), 7.43 (t; 1 H; J=8 Hz; H-5),7.13 (ddd; 1 H; J₁=8, J₂=2, J₃=1.1 Hz; H-6), 4.11 (m; 2 H; O—CH₂), 1.90(m; 1 H; O—CH₂—CH₂—CH), 1.75-1.50 (m; 3 H; H-alkyl), 1.44-1.14 (m; 6 H;H-alkyl), 1.00 (d; 3 H; J=7.9 Hz; CH₃), 0.88 (d; 6 H; J=7.8 Hz; CH₃).Contains variable proportions of anhydrides.

EXAMPLE B2 Synthesis of 4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzeneboronic acid a)Synthesis of 4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)bromobenzene

[0173] Procedure analogous to Example B1, a).

[0174] Yield: 85%

[0175] Boiling point: 180° C. at 2 mbar

[0176]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.36, 6.77 (AA′BB′, 4 H, H-aryl), 3.95 (m, 2H, O—CH₂), 1.82 (m, 1 H, H-3′), 1.6 (m, 3 H, H-2′, H-7′), 1.24 (m, 6 H,H-4′, H-5′, H-6′), 0.94 (d, 3 H, Me, J=7 Hz), 0.87 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7 Hz).

b) Synthesis of 4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzeneboronic acid

[0177] Procedure analogous to Example B1, b).

[0178] Yield: 83%

[0179] Melting point: 57-63° C.

[0180]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.67, 6.92 (AA′BB′, 4 H, H-aryl), 4.6 (br, 2H, B(OH)₂), 4.03 (m, 2 H, O—CH₂), 1.87 (m, 1 H, H-3′), 1.65 (m, 3 H,H-2′, H-7′), 1.27 (m, 6 H, H-4′, H-5′, H-6′), 0.95 (d, 3 H, Me, J=7 Hz),0.87 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7 Hz). Contains variable proportions of anhydrides.

EXAMPLE B3 Synthesis of 3,4-bis(2-methylpropoxy)benzeneboronic acid a)Synthesis of 1,2-bis(2-methylpropoxy)benzene

[0181] Pyrocatechol (220.22 g, 2 mol) and Nal (10.49 g, 0.14 mol) wereinitially introduced in 900 ml of ethanol, and the mixture was heated toreflux. KOH (56.11 g, 1 mol) dissolved in about 300 ml of ethanol andsimultaneously 1-bromo-2-methylpropane (137.03 g, 1 mol, 108.75 ml) weresubsequently slowly added dropwise. The mixture was refluxed furtherovernight. On the next day, the same amount of KOH and alkyl bromidewere again added. This procedure was repeated a total of seven times.

[0182] After the reaction mixture had been cooled, the supernatant wasdecanted off from the solid. The filter cake was rinsed with ethanol.The organic phase was evaporated. The filter cake was dissolved in 1 lof warm water, and the organic phase diluted with ethyl acetate wasadded. Phase separation was followed by repeated stirring with 10%strength aqueous NaOH, washing with water and drying over Na₂SO₄. Thecrude product obtained after the solvent had been stripped off wassubjected to fractional distillation under reduced pressure.

[0183] The product was obtained as a colorless oil (boiling point: 82°C. at 0.18 mbar): 333.4 g (75%).

[0184]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=6.87 (ps-s, 4 H, H-aryl), 3.75 (d, 4 H,O—CH₂, J=8 Hz), 2.13 (ps-non, 2 H, C—H, J=8 Hz), 1.05 (d, 12 H, CH₃, J=8Hz).

b) Synthesis of 3,4-bis(2-methylpropoxy)bromobenzene

[0185] 1,2-bis(2-methylpropoxy)benzene (359.61 g, 1.62 mol) wasinitially introduced with 500 ml of CH₂Cl₂, and a little iron powder wasadded. Bromine (266.88 g, 1.78 mol) (mixed with about 200 ml of CH₂Cl₂)was then slowly added dropwise with cooling. The batch was stirred atroom temperature for about 20 hours. For work-up, the batch was stirredwith aqueous Na₂SO₃ solution, and the iron powder was subsequentlyfiltered off. The organic phase was then washed by shaking 2× withNaHCO₃ solution, and subsequently washed with water until neutral. Afterdrying, the organic phase was evaporated.

[0186] Double fractional distillation gave the desired product as acolorless solid (166.9 g, 34%).

[0187] Melting point: 47° C.

[0188]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=6.98 (m, 2 H, H-2, H-6), 6.73 (m, 1 H, H-5),3.72, 3.70 (2×d, 2×2 H, O—CH₂, J=8 Hz), 2.12 (m, 2 H, CH), 1.04 (m, 12H, CH₃).

c) Synthesis of 3,4-bis(2-methylpropoxy)benzeneboronic acid

[0189] Procedure analogous to Example B1, b).

[0190] Yield: 76%

[0191] Melting point: 146° C.

[0192]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.81 (dd, 1 H, H-6, J₁=8 Hz, J₂=1.8 Hz),7.68 (d, 1 H, H-2, J=1.8 Hz), 6.99 (d, 1 H, H-5, J=8 Hz), 3.89, 3.84(2×d, 2×2 H, O—CH₂, J=8 Hz), 2.13 (m, 2 H, CH), 1.07 (m, 12 H, CH₃).Contains variable proportions of anhydrides.

EXAMPLE B4 Synthesis of 2,5-dimethoxybenzeneboronic acid

[0193] The synthesis was carried out analogously to Example B1 (b)(2,5-dimethoxybromobenzene: AVOCADO). The product was obtained as awhite powder in a yield of 90%.

[0194]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.38 (d, 1 H, H-6, J=2 Hz), 6.98 (dd, 1 H,H-4, J=2 Hz, J=8 Hz), 6.86 (d, 1 H, H-3, J=8 Hz), 6.10 (s, 2 H, OH),3.88+3.81 (each s, 3+3 H, OCH₃).

EXAMPLE B5 Synthesis of 2,5-dimethylbenzeneboronic acid

[0195] The synthesis is described in WO98/25874 as Example B3.

EXAMPLE B6 Synthesis of 4-fluorobenzeneboronic acid

[0196] The synthesis was carried out analogously to Example B1 (b)(4-fluorobromobenzene: Aldrich). The product was obtained as a whitepowder in a yield of 86%. (Contains about 25% of anhydride)

[0197]¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): [ppm]=7.90 (dd, 2 H, H-3 ,H-5, J=6 Hz, J=8.2Hz), 7.84 (dd, 0.5 H, H-3 ,H-5 anhydride, J=6 Hz, J=8.2 Hz); 7.18 (ps.t, 2 H, H-2, H-6, J=8.4 Hz); ); 7.14 (ps. t, 0.5 H, H-2, H-6-anhydride;J=8.4 Hz).

EXAMPLE B7 Synthesis of 3,5-difluorobenzeneboronic acid

[0198] The synthesis was carried out analogously to Example B1 (b)(3,5-difluorobromobenzene: Aldrich). The product was obtained [lacuna] awhite powder in a yield of 68%. (Contains about 10% of anhydride).

[0199]¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): [ppm]=7.46 (d with shoulder, 2 H, H-2,H-6, J=6Hz), 7.40 (d with shoulder, 0.2 H, H-2, H-6 anhydride, J=6 Hz); 7.21(ps. t with shoulder, 1 H, H-4, J=9.2 Hz).

[0200] C. Coupling Reactions in Accordance with Reaction A

EXAMPLE C1 Synthesis of diethyl2-[4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl]-5-methoxyterephthalate

[0201] Diethyl 2-bromo-5-methoxyterephthalate (49.67 g, 150 mmol), K₂CO₃(44.23 g, 320 mmol), 140 ml of toluene and 140 ml of H₂O were initiallyintroduced and flushed with argon for 30 minutes.4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)boronic acid (44.51 g, 160 mmol) and Pd(PPh₃)₄(0.7 g, 0.6 mmol) were subsequently added under a protective gas. Thebrownish mixture, which was cloudy due to phase separation, was stirredvigorously at an internal temperature of 85° C. under a protective-gasblanket. The reaction was complete after 24 hours (according to TLC).Palladium residues were removed by stirring with 1% strength aqueousNaCN solution. After the phases had been separated, the organic phasewas washed (neutral) by shaking firstly with water and subsequently withdilute HCl/H₂O and subsequently evaporated to dryness in a rotaryevaporator. The product (95% yield) was a colorless high-viscosity oil(purity>97%).

[0202]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.75, 7.35 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 7.20,6.91 (AA′BB′, 4 H, H-aryl), 4.37, 4.12 (2×q, 2×2 H, CO₂CH₂, J=7.6 Hz),4.02 (m, 2 H, O—CH₂), 3.97 (s, 3 H, O—Me), 1.84 (m, 1 H, H-3″), 1.62 (m,3 H, H-2″, H-7″), 1.37, 1.03 (2×t, 2×3H, ester-CH₃, J=7.6 Hz), 1.28 (m,6 H, H-4″, H-5″, H-6″), 0.96 (d, 3 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz), 0.87 (d, 6 H, Me,J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE C2 Synthesis of diethyl2-[3-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl]-5-methoxyterephthalate

[0203] Synthesis analogous to Example C1. The product (95% yield) was acolorless high-viscosity oil.

[0204]¹H NMR (CDCl₁): [ppm]=7.78, 7.37 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 7.26 (t;1 H; H-5′, J=8 Hz), 6.86 (m; 3 H; H-2′, H-4′, H-6′), 4.37, 4.10 (2×q,2×2 H, CO₂CH₂, J=7.6 Hz), 4.00 (m, 2 H, O—CH₂), 3.97 (s, 3 H, O—Me),1.83 (m, 1 H, H-3″), 1.62 (m, 3 H, H-2″, H-7″), 1.37, 1.01 (2×t, 2×3H,ester-CH₃, J=7.6 Hz), 1.28 (m, 6 H, H-4″, H-5″, H-6″), 0.95 (d, 3 H, Me,J=7.5 Hz), 0.86 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE C3 Synthesis of diethyl2-[3,4-bis(2-methylpropyl)phenyl]-5-methoxyterephthalate

[0205] Procedure analogous to Example C1. The product was obtained as aviscous oil in a yield of 100%.

[0206]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.75, 7.32 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 6.88 (d,1 H, H-2, J=2 Hz), 6.80 (m, 2 H, H-5+H-6), 4.37, 4.12 (2×q, 2×2 H,CO₂CH₂, J=7.5 Hz), 3.96 (s, 3 H, O—Me), 3.78, 3.74 (2×d, 2×2 H, O—CH₂,J=8 Hz), 2.14 (m, 2 H, CH), 1.36, 1.02 (2×t, 2×3H, ester-CH₃, J=7.5 Hz),1.04 (m, 12 H, CH₃).

EXAMPLE C4 Synthesis of diethyl2-[2,5-dimethoxyphenyl]-5-methoxyterephthalate

[0207] Procedure analogous to Example C1. After stirring in hexane, theproduct was obtained as a crystalline solid in a yield of 72%.

[0208]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.73, 7.46 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 6.82 (m,3 H, H-3+H-4+H-6), 4.36, 4.11 (2×q, 2×2 H, CO₂CH₂, J=7.5 Hz), 3.96,3.81, 3.75 (3×s, 3×3 H, 3×O—Me), 1.36, 1.03 (2×t, 2×3H, ester-CH₃, J=7.5Hz).

EXAMPLE C5 Synthesis of diethyl2-[2,5-dimethylphenyl]-5-methoxyterephthalate

[0209] Procedure analogous to Example C1. The product was obtained as aviscous oil in a yield of 99%.

[0210]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.63, 7.50 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 7.10 (d,1 H, H-3, J=8 Hz), 7.06 (dd, 1 H, H-4, J=1.3 Hz, J=8 Hz), 6.89 (s (br),1 H, H-6), 4.35, 4.05 (2×q, 2×2 H, CO₂CH₂, J=7.5 Hz), 3.99 (s, 3 H,O—Me), 2.32, 2.02 (2×s, 2×3 H, CH₃), 1.35, 0.92 (2×t, 2×3H, ester-CH₃,J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE C6 Synthesis of diethyl2-[3-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl]-5-fluoroterephthalate

[0211] Procedure analogous to Example C1. The product was obtained as aviscous oil in a yield of 98%.

[0212]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.93 (d, 1 H, H-6, J_(H-F)=7 Hz), 7.55 (d, 1H, H-3, J_(H-F)=11 Hz), 7.26 (t (br); 1 H; H-5′, J=8 Hz), 6.87 (m; 3 H;H-2′, H-4′, H-6′), 4.42, 4.13 (2×q, 2×2 H, CO₂CH₂, J=7.8 Hz), 3.99 (m, 2H, O—CH₂), 1.83 (m, 1 H, H-3″), 1.60 (m, 3 H, H-2″, H-7″), 1.40, 1.05(2×t, 2×3H, ester-CH₃, J=7.8 Hz), 1.25 (m, 6 H, H-4″, H-5″, H-6″), 0.94(d, 3 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz), 0.87 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE C7 Synthesis of diethyl2-[3,4-bis(2-methylpropyl)phenyl]-5-fluoroterephthalate

[0213] Procedure analogous to Example C1. The product was obtained as aviscous oil in a yield of 100%.

[0214]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.91 (d, 1 H, H-6, J_(H-F)=7 Hz), 7.50 (d, 1H, H-3, J_(H-F)=11 Hz), 6.89 (d; 1 H; H-5′, J=8 Hz), 6.80 (m; 2 H; H-2′,H-6′), 4.42, 4.14 (2×q, 2×2 H, CO₂CH₂, J=7.6 Hz), 3.78, 3.75 (2×d, 2×2H, O—CH₂, J=8 Hz), 2.14 (m, 2 H, CH), 1.40, 1.07 (2×t, 2×3H, ester-CH₃,J=7.5 Hz), 1.05 (m, 12 H, CH₃).

EXAMPLE C8 Synthesis of diethyl2-[4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl]-5-chloroterephthalate

[0215] Procedure analogous to Example C1. The product was obtained as anoil in a yield of 93%.

[0216]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.83, 7.78 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 7.22,6.92 (AA′BB′, 4 H, H-aryl), 4.41, 4.25 (2×q, 2×2 H, CO₂CH₂, J=7.6 Hz),4.03 (m, 2 H, O—CH₂), 1.83 (m, 1 H, H-3″), 1.60 (m, 3 H, H-2″, H-7″),1.41, 1.07 (2×t, 2×3H, ester-CH₃, J=7.6 Hz), 1.30 (m, 6 H, H-4″, H-5″,H-6″), 0.96 (d,3 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz), 0.87 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE C9 Synthesis of diethyl 2-chloro-5-phenylterephthalate

[0217] Procedure analogous to Example C1. After distillation underreduced pressure (0.1 mbar, 170° C.), the product was obtained as an oilin a yield of 80%.

[0218]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.83, 7.80 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 7.35 (m(AA′BB′C), 5 H, H-phenyl), 4.42, 4.11 (2×q, 2×2 H, CO₂CH₂, J=7.5 Hz),1.40, 1.02 (2×t, 2×3H, ester-CH₃, J=7.6 Hz).

EXAMPLE C10 Diethyl 2-[3,5-difluorophenyl]-5-methoxyterephthalate

[0219] The procedure was carried out analogously to Example C1. Aftercrystallization from hexane, the product was obtained as a colorlesssolid in a yield of 62%.

[0220]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.99, 7.89 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 6.88-6.83(m, 3 H, H-phenyl), 4.44, 4.17 (2×q, 2×2 H, CO₂CH₂, J=7.0 Hz), 3.97 (s,3H, O—CH₃), 1.41, 1.10 (2×t, 2×3H, ester-CH₃, J=7.0 Hz).

[0221] D. Reductions in Accordance with Reaction B

EXAMPLE D1 Synthesis of2,5-bishydroxymethyl-4-methoxyl-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0222] LiAlH₄ (7.9 g, 208 mmol) was initially introduced with about 250ml of THF under an argon blanket. Diethyl2-[4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl]-5-methoxyterephthalate (72.2 g, 149mmol) was diluted with about 60 ml of THF in a dropping funnel andslowly added dropwise. During this addition, the reaction mixture wasstirred vigorously. The batch, diluted with a further 100 ml of THF, wasthen refluxed at 67° C. After 2 hours, it was cooled to RT. When thereduction was complete, 8 ml of water were carefully added for work-up.8 ml of aqueous NaOH solution (15% strength) were subsequently added,and finally 24 ml of water were added. After each addition, the mixturewas stirred for about a further 15 minutes (“1:1:3 method”). The solidformed was filtered off with suction and again stirred with THF, andfinally the combined organic phases were evaporated. Recrystallizationfrom hexane/ethyl acetate (20:1) gave the product (93% yield) ascolorless crystals.

[0223] Melting point: 101° C.

[0224]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.21, 6.93 (AA′BB′, 4 H, H-aryl), 7.18, 7.10(2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 4.70, 4.62 (2×s, 2×2 H, CH₂O), 4.02 (m, 2 H,O—CH₂), 3.93 (s, 3 H, O—Me), 1.85 (m, 1 H, H-3′), 1.65 (br, 2 H, OH),1.60 (m, 3 H, H-2′, H-7′), 1.28 (m, 6 H, H-4′, H-5′, H-6′), 0.96 (d, 3H, Me, J=7.5 Hz), 0.86 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz).

Example D2 Synthesis of2,5-bishydroxymethyl-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0225] Synthesis analogous to Example D1. Stirring with hot hexane. Theproduct was obtained (99% yield) as a colorless, wax-like solid.

[0226] Melting point: 55° C.

[0227]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.29 (t; 1 H; J=8 Hz; H-5′), 7.21, 7.12(2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 6.87 (m; 3 H; H-2′, H-4′, H-6′), 4.70, 4.64(2×d, 2×2 H, CH₂O, J=8 Hz), 4.01 (m, 2 H, O—CH₂), 3.93 (s, 3 H, O—Me),2.29, 1.63 (2×t, 2×1 H, OH, J=8 Hz), 1.84 (m, 1 H, H-3′), 1.60 (m, 3 H,H-2′, H-7′), 1.25 (m, 6 H, H-4′, H-5′, H-6′), 0.94 (d, 3 H, Me, J=7.5Hz), 0.87 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE D3 Synthesis of2,5-bishydroxymethyl-4-methoxy-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropyl)biphenyl

[0228] Procedure analogous to Example D1. The product was obtained aswhite crystals in a yield of 78% after recrystallization from ethylacetate/hexane (1:2).

[0229] Melting point: 110-111° C.

[0230]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.19, 7.10 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 6.89 (d,1 H, H-5′, J=8 Hz), 6.84 (d, 1 H, H-2′, J=2 Hz), 6.80 (dd, 1 H, H-6′,J=8 Hz, J=2 Hz), 4.71, 4.63 (2×s, 2×2 H, CH₂O), 3.94 (s, 3 H, O—Me),3.78, 3.75 (2×d, 2×2 H, O—CH₂, J=8 Hz), 2.15 (m, 2 H, CH), 1.05 (m, 12H, CH₃).

EXAMPLE D4 Synthesis of 2,5-bishydroxymethyl-4,2′,5′-trimethoxybiphenyl

[0231] Procedure analogous to Example D1. After stirring in hexane, theproduct was obtained as a white powder in a yield of 96%.

[0232] Melting point: 91.5-92.5° C.

[0233]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.14, 7.10 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 6.91 (d,1 H, H-3′, J=8 Hz), 6.87 (dd, 1 H, H-4′, J=8 Hz, J=2 Hz), 6.73 (d, 1 H,H-6′, J=2 Hz), 4.71, 4.40 (2×d (br), 2×2 H, CH₂O), 3.94, 3.78, 3.68(3×s, 3×3 H, 3×O—Me), 2.1 (s (br), 2 H, OH). The CH₂OH groups werediastereotopic owing to hindered rotation.

EXAMPLE D5 Synthesis of2,5-bishydroxymethyl-4-methoxy-2′,5′-dimethylbiphenyl

[0234] Procedure analogous to Example D1. After stirring in hexane, theproduct was obtained as a white powder in a yield of 96%.

[0235] Melting point: 147.5-150° C.

[0236]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.14 (d, 1 H, H-3′, J=8 Hz), 7.11, 7.03(2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 7.07 (dd, 1 H, H-4′, J=8 Hz, J=1.2 Hz), 6.91 (s(br), 1 H, H-6′), 4.69, 4.40 (2×s, 2×2 H, CH₂O), 3.93 (s, 3 H, O—Me),2.31, 2.00 (2×s, 2×3 H, CH₃).

EXAMPLE D6 Synthesis of2,5-bishydroxymethyl-4-fluoro-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0237] Procedure analogous to Example D1. However, pure LiAlH₄ was notused but instead, for toning down, one equivalent of isopropanol wasadded, i.e. the reduction was carried out using LiAlH₃(O^(i)Pr). Theproduct was obtained as a high-viscosity oil in a yield of 94% (purityabout 98%).

[0238]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.30 (m, 3 H, H-3, H-6, H-5′), 6.88 (m, 3 H,H-2′, H-4′, H-6′), 4.78, 4.59 (2×d, 2×2 H, CH₂O, J=5 Hz), 4.00 (m, 2 H,O—CH₂), 1.85 (m, 2 H, H-3″, OH), 1.60 (m, 4 H, H-2″, H-7″, OH), 1.25 (m,6 H, H-4″, H-5″, H-6″), 0.94 (d, 3 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz), 0.86 (d, 6 H, Me,J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE D7 Synthesis of2,5-bishydroxymethyl-4-fluoro-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropyl)biphenyl

[0239] Procedure analogous to Example D6. After stirring in hexane, theproduct was obtained as a white powder in a yield of 87%.

[0240] Melting point: 78-79° C.

[0241]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.31 (d, 1 H, H-6, J_(H-F)=7 Hz), 7.27 (d, 1H, H-3, J_(H-F)=11 Hz), 6.90 (d; 1 H; H-5′, J=8 Hz), 6.84 (d; 1 H; H-2′,J=2 Hz), 6.80 (dd; 1 H; H-6′, J=8 Hz, J=2 Hz), 4.78, 4.60 (2×s, 2×2 H,CH₂O), 3.80, 3.75 (2×d, 2×2 H, O—CH₂, J=8 Hz), 2.15 (m, 2 H, CH), 1.05(m, 12 H, CH₃).

EXAMPLE D8 Synthesis of2,5-bishydroxymethyl-4-chloro-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0242] Procedure analogous to Example D1. After stirring inethylacetate/hexane (1/10), the product was obtained as a white powderin a yield of 87%.

[0243] Melting point: 90° C.

[0244]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.56, 7.37 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 7.23,6.93 (AA′BB′, 4 H, H-aryl), 4.79, 4.60 (2×s, 2×2 H, CH₂O), 4.02 (m, 2 H,O—CH₂), 1.85 (m, 1 H, H-3″), 1.65 (m, 3 H, H-2″, H-7″), 1.35 (m, 6 H,H-4″, H-5″, H-6″), 0.96 (d, 3 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz), 0.87 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5Hz).

EXAMPLE D9 Synthesis of2,5-bishydroxymethyl-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0245] 46 g of sodium were added to 1060 ml of 3,7-dimethyloctanol undera protective gas. The mixture was stirred at 120° C. for about 3 hoursuntil the sodium salt had fully formed. 223 g of diethyl2-chloro-5-phenylteraphthalate were subsequently added dropwise over thecourse of 20 minutes at about 100° C. A cloudy, yellowish mixture formedduring this addition. In order to complete the nucleophilicsubstitution, the mixture was stirred at 130° C. for a further 5 hours.500 ml of water were subsequently added to the cooled batch, the phaseswere separated, the mixture was refluxed for a number of hours withethanol and finally freed from solvent. The crude product obtained inthis way proved to be (according to NMR) a mixture of various esters.However, the substitution of the chlorine by the dimethyloctyloxy groupwas complete. This crude product was reduced directly analogously to thedescription in D1 using LiAlH₄. Finally, after stirring twice with ethylacetate/hexane (1/10), the product (35%) was obtained as white crystals.

[0246] Melting point: 112-115° C.

[0247]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): =[ppm]7.36 (m(AA′BB′C), 5 H, H-phenyl), 7.19, 7.12(2×s,2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 4.72, 4.61 (2×d, 2×2 H, CH₂O, J=6Hz), 4.13 (m, 2H, O—CH₂), 2.35, 1.48 (2×t, 2×1 H, OH, J=6 Hz), 1.88 (m, 1 H, H-3″),1.65 (m, 3 H, H-2″, H-7″), 1.25 (m, 6 H, H-4″, H-5″, H-6″), 0.97 (d, 3H, Me, J=7.5 Hz), 0.87 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE D10 Synthesis of2,5-bishydroxymethyl-4-methoxy-3′,5′-difluorobiphenyl

[0248] The procedure was carried out analogously to Example D1. Afterrecrystallization from n-hexane, the product was obtained as a whitepowder.

[0249] Melting point: 123° C.

[0250]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.60, 7.26 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6); 6.96-6.89(m, 2H, H-2′, H-6′), 6.82 (tt, 1H, H-4′, J=8.9, J=2.0); 4.72, 4.58 (2×s,2×2 H, CH₂O), 4.02 (s, 3 H, O—CH₃), 1.84, 1.73 (2 br. s, each 1H, OH).

[0251] E. Halogenations in Accordance with Reaction C

EXAMPLE E1 Synthesis of2,5-bischloromethyl-4-methoxy-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0252] 2,5-Bishydroxymethyl-4-methoxy-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl(54.9 g, 137 mmol) was initially introduced under N₂, and thionylchloride (20 ml, 274 mmol) was carefully added. The batch was stirred atroom temperature for 20 hours. The batch was carefully poured intoaqueous NaHCO₃ solution and extracted with ethyl acetate, and finallythe organic phase was washed until neutral. After the mixture had beendried over MgSO₄, the ethyl acetate was stripped off, and the productwas obtained as a colorless, high-viscosity oil (40% yield) bydistillation in a short-path distillation apparatus (0.3 mbar, 265° C.).

[0253]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.29, 6.95 (AA′BB′, 4 H, H-aryl), 7.27, 7.03(2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 4.65, 4.53 (2×s, 2×2 H, CH₂Cl), 4.04 (m, 2 H,O—CH₂), 3.94 (s, 3 H, O—Me), 1.85 (m, 1 H, H-3′), 1.63 (m, 3 H, H-2′,H-7′), 1.28 (m, 6 H, H-4′, H-5′, H-6′), 0.97 (d, 3 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz),0.88 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE E2 Synthesis of2,5-bischloromethyl-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0254] Procedure analogous to Example E1; the product was obtained as acolorless, high-viscosity oil (46% yield, purity: 99%) by distillationin a short-path distillation apparatus (10⁻³ mbar, 180° C.).

[0255]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.32 (t; 1 H; J=8 Hz; H-5′), 7.30, 7.04(2×s, 2 ×1 H, H-3, H-6), 6.93 (m; 3 H; H-2′, H-4′, H-6′), 4.66, 4.53(2×s, 2×2 H, CH₂Cl), 4.04 (m, 2 H, O—CH₂), 3.95 (s, 3 H, O—Me), 1.84 (m,1 H, H-3′), 1.60 (m, 3 H, H-2, H-7′), 1.25 (m, 6 H, H-4′, H-5′, H-6′),0.94 (d, 3 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz), 0.86 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE E3 Synthesis of2,5-bischloromethyl-4-methoxy-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropyl)biphenyl

[0256] Procedure analogous to Example E1; however, hexane was added assolvent (1 molar solution). The product crystallized out of thesolution. After renewed stirring in hexane, a colorless powder wasobtained in a yield of 60%.

[0257] Melting point: 97° C.

[0258]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.28, 7.03 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 6.94 (d,1 H, H-2′, J=2 Hz), 6.91 (d, 1 H, H-5′, J=8 Hz), 6.86 (dd, 1 H, H-6′,J=8 Hz, J=2 Hz), 4.65, 4.53 (2×s, 2×2 H, CH₂Cl), 3.94 (s, 3 H, O—Me),3.80, 3.79 (2×d, 2×2 H, O—CH₂, J=8 Hz), 2.15 (m, 2 H, CH), 1.06 (m, 12H, CH₃).

EXAMPLE E4 Synthesis of 2,5-bischloromethyl-4,2′,5′-trimethoxybiphenyl

[0259] Procedure analogous to Example E3. The product crystallized outof the solution. After renewed stirring in hexane, a colorless powderwas obtained in a yield of 57%.

[0260] Melting point: 71-73° C.

[0261]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.23, 7.09 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 6.89,6.81 (m, 2+1 H, H-3′, H-4′, H-6′), 4.65, 4.45 (2×br, 2×2 H, CH₂Cl),3.94, 3.80, 3.70 (3×s, 3×3 H, 3×O—Me). The CH₂Cl groups werediastereotopic owing to hindered rotation.

Example E5 Synthesis of2,5-bischloromethyl-4-methoxy-2′,5′-dimethylbiphenyl

[0262] Procedure analogous to Example E3. The product was obtained as aviscous oil in a yield of 67% by distillation in a short-path evaporator(10⁻³ mbar, 115° C.).

[0263]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.16 (d, 1 H, H-3′, J=8 Hz), 7.15, 7.07(2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 7.10 (dd, 1 H, H-4′, J=8 Hz, J=1.2 Hz), 6.96 (s(br), 1 H, H-6′), 4.67, 4.63 (AB, 2 H, CH₂Cl, J=12 Hz), 4.39, 4.30 (AB,2 H, CH₂Cl, J=12 Hz), 3.95 (s, 3 H, O—Me), 2.33, 2.03 (2×s, 2×3 H, CH₃).The CH₂Cl groups were diastereotopic owing to hindered rotation.

EXAMPLE E6 Synthesis of2,5-bischloromethyl-4-fluoro-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0264] Procedure analogous to Example E3. The product was obtained as aviscous oil in a yield of 68% by distillation in a short-path evaporator(10⁻³ mbar, 180° C.).

[0265]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.34 (m, 2 H, H-6, H-5′), 7.28 (d, 1 H, H-3,J_(H-F)=10 Hz), 6.92 (m, 3 H, H-2′, H-4′, H-6′), 4.64, 4.48 (2×s, 2×2 H,CH₂Cl), 4.04 (m, 2 H, O—CH₂), 1.83 (m, 1 H, H-3″), 1.60 (m, 3 H, H-2″,H-7″), 1.25 (m, 6 H, H-4″, H-5″, H-6″), 0.95 (d, 3 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz),0.87 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz).

EXAMPLE E7 Synthesis of2,5-bischloromethyl-4-fluoro-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropyl)biphenyl

[0266] Procedure analogous to Example E3. The product was obtained as aviscous oil in a yield of 70% by distillation in a short-path evaporator(10⁻³ mbar, 185° C.).

[0267]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]δ=7.33 (d, 1 H, H-6, J_(H-F)=7 Hz), 7.26 (d,1 H, H-3, J_(H-F)=10 Hz), 6.93 (d; 1 H; H-5′, J=8 Hz), 6.91 (d; 1 H;H-2′, J=2 Hz), 6.84 (dd; 1 H; H-6′, J=8 Hz, J=2 Hz), 4.65, 4.47 (2×s,2×2 H, CH₂Cl), 3.80, 3.77 (2×d, 2×2 H, O—CH₂, J=8 Hz), 2.16 (m, 2 H,CH), 1.06 (m, 12 H, CH₃).

EXAMPLE E8 Synthesis of2,5-bischloromethyl-4-chloro-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0268] Procedure analogous to Example E3. The product was obtained as aviscous oil in a yield of 65% by distillation in a short-path evaporator(10⁻³ mbar, 190° C.).

[0269]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]δ=7.58, 7.38 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 7.29,6.97 (AA′BB′, 4 H, H-aryl), 4.70, 4.47 (2×s, 2×2 H, CH₂Cl), 4.05 (m, 2H, O—CH₂), 1.85 (m, 1 H, H-3″), 1.63 (m, 3 H, H-2″, H-7″), 1.28 (m, 6 H,H-4″, H-5″, H-6″), 0.97 (d, 3 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz), 0.88 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5Hz).

EXAMPLE E9 Synthesis of 2,5-bischloromethyl-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0270] Procedure analogous to Example E3. The product was obtained as aviscous oil in a yield of 44% by double distillation in a short-pathevaporator (10⁻³ mbar, 1. 135° C., 2. 190° C.).

[0271]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): =[ppm]7.40 (m (AA′BB′C), 5 H, H-phenyl), 7.29,7.05 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6), 4.66, 4.51 (2×s, 2×2 H, CH₂Cl), 4.13 (m, 2H, O—CH₂), 1.90 (m, 1 H, H-3″), 1.66 (m, 3 H, H-2″, H-7″), 1.28 (m, 6 H,H-4″, H-5″, H-6″), 0.99 (d, 3 H, Me, J=7.5 Hz), 0.88 (d, 6 H, Me, J=7.5Hz).

EXAMPLE E10 Synthesis of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′,5′-bisfluorobiphenyl

[0272] Procedure analogous to Example E1. The product was purified bycrystallization from heptane.

[0273] Melting point: 117° C.

[0274]¹H NMR (CDCl₃): [ppm]δ=7.54, 7.24 (2×s, 2×1 H, H-3, H-6),7.00-6.92 (m, 2 H, H-2′, H-6′), 6.86 (tt, 1 H, H-4′, J=8.7 Hz, J=2 Hz),4.60, 4.48 (2×s, 2×2 H, CH₂Cl), 3.99 (s, 3 H, O—Me).

[0275] Z. Synthesis of Comonomers

Z1. Synthesis of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene a)Preparation of 3,7-dimethyloctyl-1-chloride

[0276] 275 ml (1.46 mol) of 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol were introduced intoa 1 l four-necked round-bottomed flask fitted with dropping funnel,high-efficiency condenser and magnetic stirrer bar, and cooled to −3° C.0.7 ml of pyridine was then added, and 129 ml (1.77 mol, 1.2 eq) ofthionyl chloride were added dropwise at such a rate that the temperaturedid not exceed 15° C. (75 minutes). The HCl gas formed was trapped in awash bottle containing Ca(OH)₂/water. The mixture was then heated to130° C. over the course of 40 minutes. After two hours at thistemperature, the mixture was cooled to 50° C., and volatile constituentswere distilled off by applying a reduced pressure of 100 mbar. Theresidue was then cooled to room temperature, diluted with 200 ml ofn-hexane and washed firstly twice with 50 ml of 10% strength NaOHsolution in water each time, then with 50 ml of water and finally with50 ml of saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution. The solution was dried usingNa₂SO₄, and the solvent was removed by distillation in a rotaryevaporator. The residue was purified by distillation under reducedpressure (13 mbar, 86-87° C.), giving 178.9 g (1.01 mol, 69%) of3,7-dimethyl-1-octyl chloride as a colorless oil.

[0277] Boiling point: 86-87° C., 13 mbar. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃):(ppm)=3.61-3.49 (m, 2H, CH₂Cl); 1.82-1.74 (m, 1H); 1.69-1.48 (m, 3H);1.37-1.21 (m, 3H); 1.19-1.09 (m, 3H); 0.89 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 3H; CH₃); 0.87(d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H; 2×CH₃).

b) Preparation of 1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene

[0278] 184.4 g (1.48 mol) of p-methoxyphenol, 275.9 g (1.56 mol, 1.05eq) of 3,7-dimethyl-1-octyl chloride, 106.9 g of KOH (85% strength, 1.62mol, 1.09 eq) and 15.04 g of sodium iodide were dissolved in 620 ml ofdry ethanol in a 2 l four-necked round-bottomed flask fitted withdropping funnel, high-efficiency condenser, gas outlet and magneticstirrer bar, and heated at the boil for 64 hours with magnetic stirring.The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and the reaction solutionwas decanted off from the solid formed. The reaction solution wasevaporated in a rotary evaporator. The solid was taken up in 400 ml of10% strength aqueous NaOH solution. This solution was extracted twicewith 400 ml of toluene each time. The organic phases were combined,washed with 100 ml of 10% strength aqueous NaOH solution and dried usingNa₂SO₄. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure in a rotaryevaporator. The residue was distilled under reduced pressure (1 mbar,head temperature: 159-162° C.), giving 372.4 g (1.41 mol, 95%) of1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene as a colorless oil.

[0279] Boiling point: 159-162° C./1 mbar. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃):(ppm)=6.82 (d, J=0.8 Hz, 4H; H_(arom)); 3.97-3.88 (m, 2H; OCH₂); 3.75(s, 3H; OCH₃); 1.84-1.75 (m, 1H); 1.71-1.47 (m, 3H); 1.38-1.23 (m, 3H);1.22-1.09 (m, 3H); 0.93 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H; CH₃); 0.86 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H;2×CH₃).

c) Preparation of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene

[0280] 304.96 g (1.03 mol) of 1-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-4-methoxybenzeneand 85.38 g (2.84 mol) of paraformaldehyde were introduced under N₂ in a4 l four-necked flask fitted with mechanical stirrer, reflux condenser,thermometer and dropping funnel, and 490 ml (580.6 g, 5.89 mol) of 37percent HCl were added; a yellow suspension was obtained. 990 ml (1070g, 10.5 mol) of acetic anhydride were then added dropwise at such a ratethat the internal temperature did not exceed 70° C. (duration: 1.5hours). The final 100 ml were added in one portion; during thisaddition, a temperature increase from 70° C. to 75° C. occurred; thereaction mixture changed color from beige-brown to reddish. The batchwas stirred at 70-75° C. for 3.5 hours and then cooled to roomtemperature with stirring, during which a pale solid crystallized out at32° C., and a temperature increase to 35° C. occurred. The batch wasleft to stand at room temperature overnight, during which a pale solidprecipitated out. 940 ml of cold-saturated Na acetate solution wereadded to the reaction mixture (duration: about 15 minutes). 700 ml of25% strength NaOH were then added dropwise at such a rate that theinternal temperature did not exceed 30° C. (duration: about 35 minutes).The batch was then heated to 52° C. (duration: about 30 minutes) andthen cooled in an ice bath with rapid stirring (duration: about 30minutes). The cream-colored, granular solid was filtered off withsuction and washed with 200 ml of H₂O. 2500 ml of hexane were added tothe solid (451 g), the mixture was stirred at room temperature, and 300ml of boiling H₂O were then added. The mixture was stirred for 20minutes, and the aqueous phase was separated off. The yellowish organicphase was stirred 3× with 300 ml of H₂O each time, and the pH was 5. Theorganic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and filtered. The filtrate wasevaporated and crystallized in the freezer.

[0281] The crystallized precipitate (447 g) was filtered off withsuction, washed with hexane at −20° C. and, for recrystallization,dissolved in 1000 ml of hexane at 60° C. The product was crystallized at−20° C., and the solid was filtered off with suction and dried at roomtemperature under reduced pressure, giving 279.6 g (0.774 mol, 75%) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene as acolorless solid.

[0282] Melting point: 65° C.;

[0283]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): (ppm)=6.92 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 2H; H_(arom));4.63 (d, J=2.6 Hz, 4 H; CH₂Cl); 4.07-3.98 (m, 2H; OCH2); 3.85 (s, 3H;OCH₃); 1.88-1.80 (m, 1H); 1.76-1.66 (br. m, 1H); 1.65-1.49 (m, 2H);1.40-1.26 (m, 3H); 1.23-1.12 (m, 3H); 0.95 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H; CH₃); 0.87(d, J=6.8 Hz, 6H; 2×CH₃). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃): (ppm)=151.0, 150.7(C1, C4); 127.1, 126.8 (C2, C5); 114.4, 113.3 (C3, C6); 67.5 (OCH₂);56.3 (OCH₃); 41.3 (2×CH₂Cl); 39.2 (C2′); 37.3, 36.3 (C4′, C6′); 29.9(C3′); 28.0 (C7′); 24.7 (C5′); 22.7, 22.6, 19.7 (3×CH₃).

Z2. Synthesis of preparation of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-bis(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene a)Preparation of 1,4-bis(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene

[0284] 84.2 g of KOH (85% strength, 1.28 mol, 1.28 eq) and 14.9 g ofsodium iodide (0.10 mol) were dissolved in 600 ml of dry ethanol in a 2l four-necked round-bottomed flask fitted with dropping funnel,high-efficiency condenser, gas inlet and magnetic stirrer bar. Duringthis, the temperature rose to 35° C. 55.1 g (0.50 mol) of hydroquinonewere then added to the cloudy solution, and 221 g of3,7-dimethyl-1-octyl chloride (1.25 mol, 1.25 eq) were slowly addeddropwise. The pale-brown suspension was heated at the boil for 10 hourswith magnetic s.tirring. A further 21 g of KOH (85% strength, 0.32 mol)and 55 g of 3,7-dimethyl-1-octyl chloride (0.31 mol, 0.31 eq) were thenadded, and the mixture was then heated at the boil for a further 84hours.

[0285] The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and the reactionsolution was evaporated in a rotary evaporator. The solid was extractedwith 500 ml of ethyl acetate. This solution was washed three times eachwith 200 ml of 10% strength aqueous NaOH solution each time and 200 mlof water and then dried using MgSO₄. The solvent was distilled off underreduced pressure in a rotary evaporator. The residue was distilled underreduced pressure (0.05 mbar, head temperature: 166-170° C.), giving147.4 g (0.37 mol, 75%) of 1,4-bis(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene as acolorless oil.

[0286] Boiling point: 166-170° C./0.05 mbar. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃):(ppm)=6.82 (s, 4H; H_(arom)); 3.98-3.88 (m, 4H; OCH₂); 1.84-1.75 (m,2H); 1.71-1.61 (br. m, 2H); 1.59-1.49 (m, 4H); 1.40-1.09 (m, 12H); 0.93(d, J=6.5 Hz, 6H; 2×CH₃); 0.86 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 12H; 4×CH₃).

b) Preparation of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-bis(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene

[0287] 58.6g (150 mmol) of 1,4-bis(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene and12.43g (414 mmol) of paraformaldehyde were introduced under N₂ into a 1l four-necked flask fitted with mechanical stirrer, reflux condenser,thermometer and dropping funnel, and 71.4 ml (858 mmol) of 37 percentHCl were added; a yellow suspension was obtained. 144 ml (156 g, 1.53mol) of acetic anhydride were then added dropwise at such a rate thatthe internal temperature did not exceed 70° C. (duration: 2 hours). Thebatch was stirred at 70-75° C. for 9 hours. A further 110 ml (119 g,1.17 mol) of acetic anhydride were then added, and the mixture was againstirred at 70-75° C. for 8 hours and then cooled to room temperaturewith stirring, during which a pale solid crystallized out. 240 ml ofcold-saturated Na acetate solution were added to the reaction mixture(duration: about 15 minutes), and 100 ml of 25% strength NaOH were thenadded dropwise at such a rate that the internal temperature did notexceed 30° C. (duration: about 35 minutes). The granular solid waspartitioned between 300 ml of hexane and 300 ml of water. The organicphase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and filtered. The filtrate was evaporatedand crystallized in the refrigerator. The product was againrecrystallized from 170 ml of hexane (washing with hexane at −20° C.),giving 28.3 g (58.0 mmol, 39%) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-bis(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene as acolorless solid.

[0288] Melting point: 55° C.; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): (ppm)=6.92 (s,2H; H_(arom)); 4.62 (s, 4 H; CH₂Cl); 4.07-3.97 (m, 4H; OCH₂); 1.88-1.80(m, 2H); 1.76-1.66 (br. m, 2H); 1.65-1.49 (m, 4H); 1.40-1.13 (m, 12H);0.95 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 6H; 2×CH₃); 0.87 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 12H; 2×CH₃).

Z3. Synthesis of 2,5-bischloromethyl-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyla) Synthesis of dimethyl2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)terephthalate

[0289] Dimethyl bromoterephthalate (49.7 g, 182 mmol, purchased fromTransWorld, Rockville Md., USA, or prepared analogously to Example A1),K₂CO₃ (50.3 g, 364 mmol) and 170 ml of toluene and 170 ml of H₂O wereinitially introduced, and the apparatus was flushed with argon for 30minutes. 3-(3,7-Dimethyloctyloxy)boronic acid (55.7 g, 200 mmol) (cf.B1) and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.93 g, 0.8 mmol) were subsequently added under aprotective gas. The yellow-greenish, cloudy mixture was stirredvigorously at an internal temperature of 85° C. under a protective-gasblanket. The reaction was complete after 24 hours. After the phases hadbeen separated, the organic phase was washed (until neutral) by shakingwith dilute HCl/H₂O. The aqueous phase was extracted by shaking withethyl acetate, and the organic phases were combined, evaporated anddried at 2 mbar, giving the product as a yellow oil in adequate purity(greater than 95%): 76.1 g (98%).

[0290]¹H NMR (400 MHz; CDCl₃): [ppm]=8.07 (d; 1 H; J=2 Hz; H-3), 8.05(dd; 1 H; J₁=8, J₂=2 Hz; H-5), 7.82 (d; 1 H; J=8 Hz; H-6), 7.29 (t; 1 H,J=8 Hz; H-5), 6.90 (m; 3 H; H-2′, H-4′, H-6′), 4.01 (m; 2 H; O—CH₂),3.94, 3.67 (each: s; 3 H; CO₂—CH₃), 1.84 (m; 1 H; O—CH₂—CH₂—CH),1.63-1.48 (m; 3 H; H-alkyl), 1.37-1.12 (m; 6 H; H-alkyl), 0.96 (d; 3 H;J=7.8 Hz; CH₃), 0.87 (d; 6 H; J=7.7 Hz; CH₃).

b) Synthesis of 2,5-bishydroxymethyl-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0291] LiAlH₄ (9.4 g, 248 mmol) was initially introduced in 300 ml ofTHF under N₂. Dimethyl 2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)terephthalate(75.5 g, 177 mmol), dissolved in 120 ml of THF, was then slowly addeddropwise at RT. The mixture was subsequently stirred under reflux for 4hours and cooled. Excess LiAlH4 was then carefully destroyed by additionof H₂O. Semiconcentrated H₂SO₄ was subsequently carefully added dropwise(about 50 ml). The batch was of very low viscosity at this point. Aftera subsequent stirring time of 1 hour, a clear solution and a grayprecipitate at the bottom of the flask were observed. The clear solutionwas decanted off, and the solvent was stripped off. The precipitatewhich remained was stirred with plenty of water and ethyl acetate andfiltered, the organic phase was separated off, the solvent was strippedoff, and combined with the first organic phase. The combined organicphases were taken up in ethyl acetate and extracted five times withwater. After the extracts had been dried over MgSO₄, the solvent wasstripped off. The resultant oil was stirred a number of times withhexane and dried in an oil-pump vacuum, giving the product as a pure,pale-yellow, high-viscosity oil (54 g, 82%).

[0292]¹H NMR (400 MHz; CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.50 (d; 1 H; J=7.8 Hz; H-6), 7.34(dd; 1 H; J₁=7.8, J₂=1.9 Hz; H-5), 7.30 (dt; 1 H; J₁=8, J₂=1 Hz; H-5′),7.26 (d; 1 H; J=1.9 Hz; H-3), 6.88 (m; 3 H; H-2′, H-4′, H-6′), 4.69,4.59 (each: s; 2 H; CH₂—OH), 4.00 (m; 2 H; O—CH₂), 1.97 (s; 2 H; OH),1.82 (m; 1 H; O—CH₂—CH₂—CH), 1.67-1.50 (m; 3 H; H-alkyl), 1.40-1.13 (m;6 H; H-alkyl), 0.95 (d; 3 H; J=7.5 Hz; CH₃), 0.87 (d; 6 H; J=7.6 Hz;CH₃).

c) Synthesis of 2,5-bischloromethyl-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0293] 2,5-Bishydroxymethyl-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (50.7 g,137 mmol) was initially introduced under N₂, and thionyl chloride (20ml, 274 mmol) was carefully added. 2 ml of thionyl chloride were addedtwice (after 2 and after 8 hours), and the batch was finally stirred atroom temperature of a total of 20 hours. The batch was carefully pouredinto aqueous NaHCO₃ solution and extracted with ethyl acetate, andfinally the organic phase was washed until neutral and dried over MgSO₄.The ethyl acetate was stripped off, and the batch was subjected tofractional distillation under reduced pressure, giving the product (39g, 70%) as a high-viscosity, colorless oil (boiling point: 212° C. at0.67 mbar).

[0294]¹H NMR (300 MHz; CDCl₃): [ppm]=7.54 (d; 1 H; J=8.3 Hz; H-6), 7.41(dd; 1 H; J₁=8.2, J₂=2.1 Hz; H-5), 7.34 (d; 1 H; J₁=8, J₂=1 Hz; H-5′),7.31 (d; 1 H; J=2 Hz; H-3), 6.94 (m; 3 H; H-2′; H-4′, H-6′); 4.61, 4.52(each: s; 2 H; CH₂Cl), 4.04 (m; 2H; O—CH₂), 1.84 (m; 1 H; O—CH₂—CH₂—CH),1.72-1.46 (m; 3 H; H-alkyl), 1.38-1.10 (m; 6 H; H-alkyl), 0.94 (d; 3 H;J=6.7 Hz; CH₃), 0.86 (d; 6 H; J=6.9 Hz; CH₃).

Z4. Synthesis of 2,5-bischloromethyl-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl

[0295] The synthesis is described in WO98/25874 as Example E6.

Z5: Synthesis of 2,5-bischloromethyl-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropyl)biphenyl

[0296] The synthesis is described in WO98/25874 as Example E7.

[0297] Part 2: Synthesis and Characterization of the Polymers

[0298] The composition of the copolymers P1 to P17 and V1 to V7 wasconfirmed by oxidative degradation followed by qualitative andquantitative analysis of the monomer units thus obtained again. It wasfound that the proportion of monomer units in the copolymer was equal tothe monomer ratio employed in the synthesis.

[0299] P: Synthesis of Polymers According to the Invention

EXAMPLE P1

[0300] Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-bis(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene and 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-4-methoxybiphenyl(polymer P1):

[0301] Preparation ofpoly(2,5-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl-5-methoxy)-p-phenylenevinylene).

[0302] 590 g of dry and O₂-free 1,4-dioxane were heated to 99° C. in adry 1 l four-necked flask fitted with mechanical Teflon stirrer, refluxcondenser, thermometer and dropping funnel. A solution of 1.95 g (4.00mmol) of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-bis(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)benzeneand 1.75 g (4.00 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-4-methoxybiphenyl in 30ml of dry 1,4-dioxane was then added. A solution of 2.36 g (21 mmol) ofpotassium tert-butoxide in 21 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane was then addeddropwise to the vigorously stirred mixture over the course of 5 minutes.During this addition, the color changed from colorless via yellow toorange-red. After 5 minutes, a further 1.79 g (16 mmol) of potassiumtert-butoxide, dissolved in 16 ml of 1,4-dioxane, were added. After themixture had been stirred at 98-100° C. for 2 hours, it was cooled to 55°C., and a mixture of 4 ml of acetic acid and 4 ml of 1,4-dioxane wasadded. The solution, which was then orange, was poured into 0.85 l ofvigorously stirred water. The polymer which precipitated was isolated byfiltration through a polypropylene filter and was dried under reducedpressure. The crude yield was 2.22 g (5.70 mmol, 71%).

[0303] The polymer was dissolved in 250 ml of THF with heating to 60° C.and precipitated by addition of 250 ml of methanol at 40° C. After themixture had been dried under reduced pressure, this step was repeated.Drying under reduced pressure gave 1.37 g (=3.52 mmol, 44%) of thepolymer P1 as pale-orange fibers.

[0304]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ(ppm)=7.8-6.6 (br. m, 6 H); 4.2-3.6 (br.m, 4.5 H); 2.87 (br. s, bisbenzyl); 2.0-0.9 (br. m, 15 H); 0.85, 0.84 (2s, 13.5 H). The ¹H NMR spectrum of polymer P1 is reproduced in FIG. 1.Integration of the signal at 2.87 ppm gave the content of TBB groups as1.4%.

[0305] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 35° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.35×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=1.27×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P2

[0306] Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and50% of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (polymerP2):

[0307] Preparation ofpoly(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)-5-methoxy)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy))phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene).

[0308] 3400 ml of dry and O₂-free 1,4-dioxane were heated to 99° C. in aheat-dried 6 l four-necked flask fitted with mechanical Teflon stirrer,reflux condenser, thermometer and dropping funnel. A solution of 12.45 g(28.5 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex.E2) and 11.25 g (28.5 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z5) in 50g of dry 1,4-dioxane was then added. A solution of 16.6 g (148 mmol) ofpotassium tert-butoxide in 148 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane was then addeddropwise to the vigorously stirred mixture over the course of 5 minutes.During this addition, the color changed from colorless via yellow toyellow-orange. After 5 minutes, a further 15.4 g (137 mmol) of potassiumtert-butoxide, dissolved in 140 ml of 1,4-dioxane, were added. After themixture had been stirred at 98-100° C. for 2 hours, it was cooled to 50°C., and a mixture of 33 ml of acetic acid and 35 ml of 1,4-dioxane wasadded. The solution, which was then orange, was poured into 3.8 l ofvigorously stirred water. The fibrous polymer which precipitated wasisolated by filtration through a polypropylene filter, washed twice withmethanol and dried under reduced pressure. The crude yield was 15.33 g(78%).

[0309] The polymer was dissolved in 1.7 l of THF with heating to 60° C.and precipitated by addition of the same amount of methanol at 40° C.After the mixture had been washed with methanol and dried under reducedpressure, this step was repeated (1.2 l of THF/1.2 l of methanol).Drying under reduced pressure gave 8.68 g (=25.3 mmol, 44%) of thepolymer P2 as yellow-orange fibers.

[0310]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=7.7-6.5 (br. m, 8 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.2-3.6 (br. m, 4.5 H; OCH3, OCH2); 2.8-2.7 ppm (br. m,bisbenzyl), 2.1-0.6 (br. m, 19H; aliph. H).

[0311] Integration of the signal at 2.8-2.7 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 4.8%. The ¹H NMR spectrum of polymer P2 is reproduced in FIG.2.

[0312] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 35° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.5×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=2.8×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P3

[0313] Copolymer comprising 75% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and25% of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (polymerP3):

[0314] Preparation ofpoly(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-5-methoxy)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy))phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene).

[0315] 2.62 g (6.00 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and0.79 g (2.00 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl and 540 ml ofdry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized analogously to Example P2. Doublereprecipitation from THF/MeOH gave 1.30 g (=46%) of the polymer P3 as afine orange powder.

[0316]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ(ppm)=7.7-6.5 (br. m, 8 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.2-3.7 (br. m, 4.75 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 2.8-2.7 ppm (br,bisbenzyl), 2.1-0.6 (br. m, 17.75 H; aliph. H).

[0317] Integration of the signal at 2.8-2.7 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 1.8%)

[0318] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.2×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=1.8×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P4

[0319] Copolymer comprising 25% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-bis(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene and 75% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-4-methoxybiphenyl(polymer P4):

[0320] Preparation ofpoly(2,5-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl-5-methoxy)-p-phenylenevinylene).

[0321] 0.97 g (2.00 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-bis(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene and 2.62 g(6.00 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-4-methoxybiphenyl in 590g of 1,4-dioxane were polymerized analogously to Example P1.Purification was accomplished by double dissolution in 300 ml ofchlorobenzene (110° ) and precipitation using ethylene glycol. 1.50 g(50%) of polymer P4 were obtained as orange flakes.

[0322]¹H NMR (400 MHz, C₂D₂Cl₄, 363K): δ(ppm)=8.0-6.8 (br. m, 6.5 H;H_(arom), H_(olefin)); 4.4-3.7 (br. m, 4.75 H, OCH₃, OCH₂); 2.7 (br. s,bisbenzyl); 2.0-0.9 (br. m, 23.75 H). Integration of the signal at 2.7ppm gave a TBB content of 1.0%.

EXAMPLE P5:

[0323] Quaternary copolymer comprising 25% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene, 25% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-bis(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene, 25% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and 25% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl(polymer P5):

[0324] Preparation ofpoly(2-methoxy-5-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)co-(2,5-bis(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(5-methoxy-2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)600 g of dry and O₂-free 1,4-dioxane were introduced into a dry 1 lfour-necked flask fitted with mechanical stirrer, reflux condenser,thermometer and dropping funnel, and heated to 98° C. with stirring.2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene (723mg), 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-bis(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene (975mg), 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl) (815 mg)and 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl(875 mg) (2 mmol each), dissolved in 50 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane, were thenadded. A solution of 2.36 g (21 mmol) of potassium tert-butoxide in 21ml of dry 1,4-dioxane was then added dropwise to the vigorously stirredmixture over the course of 5 minutes. The viscosity of the solutionincreased slightly. After the mixture had been stirred at 98° C. for 5minutes, a further 1.79 g (16 mmol, 2.0 eq) of potassium tert-butoxidein 16 ml of 1,4-dioxane were added over the course of one minute. Afterthe mixture had been stirred at 97°-98° C. for a further 2 hours, it wascooled to 45° C., and a mixture of 2.2 ml of acetic acid and 2.2 ml of1,4-dioxane were then added. After the mixture had been stirred for afurther 20 minutes, the polymer was precipitated by addition of thereaction solution to 1 l of vigorously stirred water. The polymerobtained in this way was filtered off and washed twice with 100 ml ofmethanol each time. Drying at room temperature under reduced pressuregave 1.71 [lacuna] of crude polymer.

[0325] The crude product was dissolved in 200 ml of THF with heating to60° C. and precipitated by addition of 200 ml of methanol. After theproduct had been dried under reduced pressure and washed with 100 ml ofmethanol, this step was repeated (200 ml of THF/200 ml of methanol).Drying for two days under reduced pressure gave 1.13 g (=3.2 mmol, 40%)of the polymer P5 as pale-orange fibers.

[0326]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ(ppm)=7.9-6.6 (br. m; about 9 H);4.2-3.7 (br. s, 4 H); 2.9-2.8 (br. m, bisbenzyl); 1.9-0.8 (br. m, about19 H). Integration of the signal at 2.9-2.8 ppm gave a TBB content of4.7 ppm. GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000,SDV10000 (PSS), 35° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard:Mw=1.0×10⁶ g/mol, Mn=1.9×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P6

[0327] Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl and 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl(polymer P6):

[0328] Preparation ofpoly[2-(3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy))-phenyl-p-phenylenevinylene]co[2-(3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)phenyl)-5-methoxy-p-phenylenevinylene].

[0329] 11.42 g (28.9 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z5) and12.28 g (28.9 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (Ex.E3) in 3400 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized analogously toExample P2. Double reprecipitation from THF/MeOH gave 10.5 g (=53%) ofthe polymer P6 as yellow fibers.

[0330]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=7.6-6.5 (br. m, 7.5 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.1-3.7 (br. m, 5.5 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 2.8-2.7 ppm (br. m,bisbenzyl), 2.1 (br. s, 2H, CH), 1.2-0.8 (br. m, 12 H; aliph. H).

[0331] Integration of the signal at 2.8-2.7 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 4.4%).

[0332] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.1×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=2.5×10⁰⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P7 Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and50% of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (polymerP7) Preparation ofpoly[2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy))phenyl-5-methoxy-p-phenylenevinylene]co[2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy))-phenyl-p-phenylenevinylene]

[0333] 12.45 g (28.5 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex.E2) and 11.60 g (28.5 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z3) in 3400ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized at 98° C. analogously to ExampleP2. Double reprecipitation from THF/MeOH gave 8.7 g (=44%) of thepolymer P7 as yellow fibers.

[0334]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=7.8-6.5 (br. m, 8.5 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); H); 4.1-3.6 (br. m, 3.5 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 3.0-2.7 ppm (br. m,bisbenzyl); 1.9-0.8 (br. m, 19 H; aliph. H).

[0335] Integration of the signal at 3.0-2.7 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 4.6%.

[0336] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.0×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=2.4×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P8 Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl(polymer P8) Preparation ofpoly[(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy))phenyl-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy))phenyl-5-methoxy-p-phenylenevinylene]

[0337] 11.60 g (28.5 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z3) and12.11 g (28.5 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (Ex.E3) in 3400 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized at 99° C. analogouslyto Example P2. Double reprecipitation from THF/MeOH gave 8.13 g (=42%)of the polymer P8 as fine polymer fibers.

[0338]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=7.9-6.6 (br. m, 8 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.1-3.6 (br. m, 4.5 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 2.9-2.6 ppm (br. m,bisbenzyl); 2.13 (br. s, 1H, CH); 1.9-0.8 (br. m, 15.5 H; aliph. H).

[0339] Integration of the signal at 2.9-2.6 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 5.0%)

[0340] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.3×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=2.3×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P9 Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-fluoro-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl(polymer P9) Preparation ofpoly[(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy))phenyl-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy))phenyl-5-fluoro-p-phenylenevinylene]

[0341] 5.80 g (14.23 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z3) and5.88 g (14.23 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-fluoro-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (Ex.E7) in 3200 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized at 98° C. analogouslyto Example P2. Double reprecipitation from THF/MeOH gave 8.13 g (=42%)of the polymer P9 as a yellow powder.

[0342]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=8.0-6.6 (br. m, 8 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.2-3.6 (br. m, 3 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 3.0-2.6 ppm (br. m,bisbenzyl); 2.1 (br. s, 1H, CH); 1.9-0.8 (br. m, 15.5 H; aliph. H).

[0343] Integration of the signal at 3.0-2.6 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 8.5%)

[0344] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=9.5×10⁵g/mol, M_(n)=1.1×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P10 Copolymer comprising 40% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-chloro-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and 60%of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (polymerP10) Preparation ofpoly[(2-(4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)-5-chloro-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy))phenyl-p-phenylenevinylene]

[0345] 2.83 g (6.4 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-chloro-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex.E8) and 3.79 g (9.6 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z5) in1100 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized at 98° C. analogously toExample P2. Double reprecipitation from chlorobenzene/MeOH gave 1.6 g(=42%) of the polymer P10 as a yellow powder.

[0346]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=8.0-6.6 (br. m, 8 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.1-3.6 (br. m, 3.2 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 3.0-2.7 ppm (br. m,bisbenzyl); 2.2 (br. s, 1H, CH); 1.9-0.8 (br. m, 15 H; aliph. H).

[0347] Integration of the signal at 3.0-2.7 ppm gave a content of TBBgroups of 9.5%.

EXAMPLE P11 Copolymer comprising 50% of 1,4-bis(chloromethyl)-2-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-5-methoxybenzene, 30% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and20% of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (polymerP11) Preparation ofpoly[2-methoxy-5-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene]co[2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)-5-methoxy-p-phenylenevinylene]co[2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy))-phenyl-p-phenylenevinylene]

[0348] 7.47 g (28.5 mmol) of1,4-bis(chloromethyl)-2-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-5-methoxybenzene (Ex.Z1), 6.22 g (17.1 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex.E2) and 4.64 g (11.4 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z3) in 3450ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized at 98-100° C. analogously toExample P2. Double reprecipitation from THF/MeOH gave 7.9 g (=43%) ofthe polymer P11 as orange-red fibers.

[0349]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=7.7-6.4 (br. m, 6.2 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.1-3.6 (br. m, 4.4 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 3.0-2.8 ppm (br. m,bisbenzyl); 1.9-0.8 (br. m, 19 H; aliph. H).

[0350] Integration of the signal at 3.0-2.8 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 3.3%.

[0351] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.0×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=2.4×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P12 Copolymer comprising 25% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl, 25% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl, 25%of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyland 25% of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl(polymer P12)

[0352] 5.80 g (14.2 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z3), 6.22 g(14.2 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex.E2), 6.05 g (14.2 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (Ex.E3) and 5.63 g (14.2 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z5) in3400 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized at 99° C. analogously toExample P2. Neutralization, precipitation and double reprecipitationfrom THF/MeOH gave 9.12 g (47%) of the polymer P12 as fine yellowfibers.

[0353]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=7.7-6.5 (br. m, 8 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.1-3.6 (br. m, 4.5 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 2.9-2.6 ppm (br. m,bisbenzyl); 2.14 (br. s, 1H, CH); 1.9-0.8 (br. m, 15.5 H; aliph. H).

[0354] Integration of the signal at 2.9-2.6 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 6.0%.

[0355] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.1×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=1.8×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P13 Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and 50% of2,5-bischloromethyl-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (polymer P13)Preparation ofpoly[(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy))phenyl-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-phenyl-5-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene)]

[0356] 8.85 g (21.7 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z3) and8.85 g (21.7 mmol) of2,5-bischloromethyl-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-biphenyl (Ex. E9) in 2250 gof dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized at 99° C. analogously to Example P2.Double reprecipitation from THF/MeOH gave 7.6 g (=52%) of the polymerP13 as a yellow powder.

[0357]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=7.7-6.6 (br. m, 9 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.4-3.6 (br. m, 2 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 2.9-2.6 ppm (br. m,bisbenzyl); 1.9-0.8 (br. m, 19 H; aliph. H).

[0358] Integration of the signal at 2.9-2.6 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 7.0%.

[0359] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.1×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=1.3×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P14 Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl and 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-4-fluorobiphenyl(polymer P14) Preparation ofpoly[(2-(3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy))phenyl-5-fluoro-p-phenylenevinylene)]

[0360] 3.26 g (8.25 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z5) and3.51 g (8.25 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-fluoro-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (Ex.E6) in 1000 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized at 98° C. analogouslyto Example P2. Double reprecipitation from THF/MeOH gave 3.3 g (=59%) ofthe polymer P14 as a yellow powder.

[0361]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=7.9-6.5 (br. m, 8 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.2-3.5 (br. m, 3 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 2.9-2.5 ppm (br. s,bisbenzyl); 2.2-0.8 (br. m, 16.5 H; aliph. H).

[0362] Integration of the signal at 2.9-2.5 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 8.5%.

[0363]¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=120 (br. m); using an internalreference (C₆F₆), it was found that the proportion offluorine-containing groups is 50%.

[0364] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.05×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=1.9×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P15 Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and 50% of2,5-bischloromethyl-4,2′,5′-trimethoxybiphenyl (polymer P15) Preparationofpoly[(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy))phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(2′,5′-dimethoxy)phenyl)-5-methoxy-p-phenylenevinylene]

[0365] 3.36 g (8.25 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z3) and2.82 g (8.25 mmol) of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4,2′,5′-trimethoxybiphenyl(Ex. E4) in 1000 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized at 98-100° C.analogously to Example P2. Double reprecipitation from THF/MeOH gave1.95 g (=54%) of the polymer P15 as a yellow powder.

[0366]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=7.6-6.6 (br. m, 8 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.4-3.6 (br. m, 5.5 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 2.9-2.6 ppm (br. s,bisbenzyl); 2.0-0.8 (br. m, 9.5 H; aliph. H).

[0367] Integration of the signal at 2.9-2.6 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 5.5%.

[0368]¹⁹F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=116 (br. s); using an internalreference (C₆F₆) it was found that the proportion of fluorine-containinggroups is 50%.

[0369] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=10×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=1.9×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P16 Copolymer comprising 30% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl, 30% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl and 40% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-2′,5′-dimethylbiphenyl (polymer P16)

[0370] 6.96 g (16.6 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z3), 6.75[lacuna] (16.6 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z5) and7.04 g (22.1 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-2′,5′-dimethylbiphenyl (Ex. E5) in 3400ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized at 98° C. analogously to ExampleP2. Double reprecipitation from THF/MeOH gave 6.70 g (=40%) of thepolymer P16 as green-yellow fibers.

[0371]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=7.8-6.6 (br. m, 7.9 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.2-3.6 (br. m, 3 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 2.9-2.7 ppm (br. s,bisbenzyl); 2.4-0.8 (br. m, 12.3 H; aliph. H).

[0372] Integration of the signal at 2.9-2.7 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 4.0%.

[0373] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.2×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=2.7×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE P17 Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′,5′-bisfluorobiphenyl (polymer P9)Preparation ofpoly[(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy))phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-3′,5′-difluorophenyl-5-methoxy-p-phenylenevinylene)]

[0374] 4.27 g (10.5 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (Ex. Z3) and3.35 g (10.5 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′,5′-bisfluorobiphenyl (Ex. E10) in2500 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were polymerized at 98° C. analogously toExample P2. Double reprecipitation from THF/MeOH gave 2.99 g (=49%) ofthe polymer P9 as a yellow powder.

[0375]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ[ppm]=8.1-6.6 (br. m, 8 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.2-3.6 (br. m, 2.5 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 3.0-2.6 ppm (br. s,bisbenzyl); 2.1 (br. s, 1H, CH); 1.9-0.8 (br. m, 9.5 H; aliph. H).

[0376] Integration of the signal at 3.0-2.6 ppm gave the content of TBBgroups as 4.5%.

[0377] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 50° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=9×10⁵g/mol, M_(n)=1.8×10⁵ g/mol.

[0378] V. Synthesis of Comparative Examples Not According to theInvention

EXAMPLE V1 Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene and 50%of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (polymer V1)Preparation ofpoly(2-methoxy-5-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)

[0379] 3.5 l of dry and O₂-free 1,4-dioxane were introduced into a dry 6l four-necked flask fitted with mechanical stirrer, reflux condenser,thermometer and dropping funnel, and heated to 95° C. with stirring.9.00 g (24.9 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene and10.13 g (24.9 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl, dissolved in 30ml of dry 1,4-dioxane, were then added. A solution of 13.97 g (124.5mmol, 2.5 eq) of potassium tert-butoxide in 125 ml of dry 1,4-dioxanewas then added dropwise to the vigorously stirred mixture over thecourse of 5 minutes. During the course of this addition, the colorchanged from colorless via yellow to orange-red. After the mixture hadbeen stirred at 95-96° C. for 5 minutes, the same amount (13.97 g, 124.5mmol, 2.5 eq) of potassium tert-butoxide in 125 ml of 1,4-dioxane wasagain added over the course of one minute. After the mixture had beenstirred at 95°-97° C. for a further two hours, it was cooled to 55° C.,and a mixture of 30 ml of acetic acid and 30 ml of 1,4-dioxane wasadded. 1.8 l of water were added to the solution, which was then paleorange, over the course of 5 minutes with vigorous stirring. Theprecipitated polymer was filtered off and washed twice with 100 ml ofmethanol each time. Drying under reduced pressure gave 14.1 g of crudepolymer.

[0380] The crude polymer was dissolved in 1.8 l of THF with heating to60° C. and precipitated by addition of 2 l of methanol. After theproduct had been dried under reduced pressure and washed with 200 ml ofmethanol, this step was repeated. Drying for two days under reducedpressure gave 10.80 g (=34.7 mmol, 70%) of the polymer V1 as pale-orangefibers.

[0381]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): (ppm)=7.9-6.6 (br. m; 6.5 H); 4.2-3.6(br. m, 3.5 H); 3.0-2.6 (br. M; 7.2% bisbenzyl); 2.0-0.95 (br. m, 10H);0.86, 0.84 (2 s, 9H).

[0382] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 35° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=7.4×10⁵g/mol, M_(n)=7×10⁴ g/mol.

[0383] The ¹H-NMR spectrum of the polymer V1 is reproduced in FIG. 1.

EXAMPLE V2 Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′,4′-bis(2-methylpropoxy)biphenyl (polymer V2)Preparation ofpoly(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′,4′-2-methylpropoxy)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)

[0384] 600 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were introduced into a heat-dried 1 lfour-necked flask fitted with mechanical Teflon stirrer, high-efficiencycondenser, thermometer and dropping funnel, degassed by passing throughN₂ for 15 minutes and then heated to gentle reflux (99° C.) withstirring. 1.63 g (4.00 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and 1.58 g (4.00mmol) of [lacuna], dissolved in 20 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane, weresubsequently added. A solution of 2.36 g (21 mmol, 2.6 eq) of potassiumtert-butoxide in 21 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane was then added dropwise to thevigorously stirred mixture over the course of 5 minutes. During theaddition of the base, the following color change was observed:colorless—yellow—yellow-green. After the mixture had been stirred atthis temperature for a further 5 minutes, a further 1.80 g (16 mmol, 2.0eq) of potassium tert-butoxide in 16 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were addedover the course of one minute. The temperature was held at 98-99° C. fora further 2 hours; after this time, the mixture was cooled to 45° C.,and a mixture of 2.5 ml of acetic acid and 2.5 ml of 1,4-dioxane wasadded. The color of the reaction mixture became somewhat paler duringthis addition, and the viscosity rose. The reaction mixture was stirredfor 20 minutes and poured into 0.65 l of vigorously stirred water. 100ml of methanol were added, and the mixture was stirred for a further 20minutes. Filtration through a polypropylene circular filter, rinsingtwice with methanol and drying under reduced pressure gives 1.30 g (3.93mmol, 49%) of crude polymer as yellow fibers.

[0385] After the crude polymer has been dried at room temperature underreduced pressure, purification is carried out by double dissolution in100 ml of THF each time and precipitation using 100 ml of methanol eachtime. Drying gave 0.99 g (3.00 mmol, 38%) of polymer V2 as yellowfibers.

[0386]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ(ppm)=7.8-6.5, beneath this br. s at 6.9(br. m; 8.8 H); 4.0 (br. s, 1.6 H); 3.0-2.6 ppm (br. m, 12% bisbenzyl);2.3 (br. s, 0.6 H, CH₃); 2.0 (br. s, 0.6 H, CH₃); 1.8, 1.65, 1.55, 1.3,1.15 (5×s, together 8 H; alkyl-H); 0.91, 0.85 (2×s, 7.2H; 3×CH₃).

[0387] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 35° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.8×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=3.9×10⁵ g/mol.

[0388] The ¹H-NMR spectrum of the polymer V2 is reproduced in FIG. 2.

EXAMPLE V3 Copolymer comprising 50% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene and 50%of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (polymer V3)Preparation ofpoly(2-methoxy-5-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(4′-(3,7-dimethyloxtyloxy)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)

[0389] 3400 ml of dry and O₂-free 1,4-dioxane were heated to 97° C in adry 6 l four-necked flask fitted with mechanical Teflon stirrer, refluxcondenser, thermometer and dropping funnel. A solution of 8.44 g (23.35mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene and9.52 g (23.35 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl in 50 ml of dry1,4-dioxane was then added. A solution of 13.10 9 (117 mmol) ofpotassium tert-butoxide in 117 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane was then addeddropwise to the vigorously stirred mixture over the course of 5 minutes.During this addition, the color changed from colorless via yellow toorange-red. After 5 minutes, a further 10.48 g (93 mmol) of potassiumtert-butoxide, dissolved in 93 ml of 1,4-dioxane, were added. After themixture had been stirred at 95-97° C. for 2 hours, it was cooled to 45°C., and a mixture of 19 ml of acetic acid and 20 ml of 1,4-dioxane wasadded. The solution, which was then orange, was poured into 4 l ofvigorously stirred water. The precipitated polymer was isolated byfiltration through a polypropylene filter and dried under reducedpressure. The crude yield was 12.65 g (40.6 mmol, 87%).

[0390] The polymer was dissolved in 1690 ml of THF with heating to 60°C. and precipitated by addition of 1700 ml of methanol at 40° C. Afterthe product had been dried under reduced pressure, this step wasrepeated. Drying under reduced pressure gave 7.10 g (=22.79 mmol, 49%)of the polymer V3 as pale-orange fibers.

[0391]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ(ppm)=7.9-6.9 (br. m, 6.5 H); 4.2-3.6(br. m, 3.5 H); 2.9-2.6 (br. m, 7% bisbenzyl); 2.0-0.9 (br. m, 10H);0.89, 0.86 (2 s, 9H).

[0392] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 35° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.5×10⁶g/mol, M_(n)=2.8×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE V4 Quaternary copolymer comprising 2% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene, 13% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-2′,5′-dimethylbiphenyl, 25% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and 60% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (polymer V4)Preparation ofpoly(2-methoxy-5-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)phenylenevinylene)co(2-(4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(2′,5′-dimethyl)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene)

[0393] 3.55 kg (3.40 l ) of dry and O₂-free 1,4-dioxane were introducedinto a dry 6 l four-necked flask fitted with mechanical stirrer, refluxcondenser, thermometer and dropping funnel, and heated to 98° C. withstirring. A solution of 240 mg (0.66 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene, 3.38 g(8.29 mmol) of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl,8.11 g (19.9 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and 1.20 g (4.31mmol) of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-2′,5′-dimethylbiphenyl, dissolved in 50ml of dry 1,4-dioxane, was then added. A solution of 9.30 g (82.9 mmol,2.6 eq) of potassium tert-butoxide in 83 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane was thenadded dropwise to the vigorously stirred mixture over the course of 5minutes. The viscosity of the solution increased slightly. After themixture had been stirred at 98° C. for 5 minutes, a further 7.44 g (66.3mmol, 2.0 eq) of potassium tert-butoxide in 66 ml of 1,4-dioxane wereadded over the course of one minute. After the mixture had been stirredat 97°-98° C. for a further 2 hours, it was cooled to 45° C., and amixture of 19.1 ml of acetic acid and 20 ml of 1,4-dioxane was added.The polymer was stirred for a further 20 minutes and precipitated byaddition of the reaction solution to 4 l of vigorously stirred water.The polymer obtained in this way was filtered off and washed twice with300 ml of methanol each time. Drying at room temperature under reducedpressure gave 10.40 g (32.8 mmol, 99%) of crude polymer.

[0394] The crude product was dissolved in 1390 ml of THF with heating to60° C. and precipitated by addition of 1.4 l of methanol. After theproduct had been dried under reduced pressure and washed with 100 ml ofmethanol, this step was repeated (800 ml of THF/800 ml of methanol).Drying for two days under reduced pressure gave 7.90 g (=24.9 mmol, 75%)of the polymer V4 as pale-orange fibers.

[0395]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ(ppm)=7.9-6.6 (br. m; about 9 H); 4.0(br. s, about 2 H); 2.9-2.6 (br. m, 12% bisbenzyl); 2.4, 2.1 (2×br. s,2×each H); 1.9-0.8 (br. m, about 19 H).

[0396] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 35° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=7.8×10⁵g/mol, M_(n)=1.9×10⁵ g/mol.

EXAMPLE V5 Copolymer comprising 82% of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-4-methoxybenzene and 18%of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-4-methoxybiphenyl(polymer V5) Preparation ofpoly(2-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-5-methoxy-p-phenylenevinylene)co(2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)-5-methoxy-p-phenylenevinylene)

[0397] 540 ml of dry and O₂-free 1,4-dioxane were heated to 98° C. in adry 1 l four-necked flask fitted with mechanical Teflon stirrer, refluxcondenser, thermometer and dropping funnel. A solution of 2.37 g (6.56mmol) of 2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-4-methoxybenzeneand 0.630 g (1.44 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-4-methoxybiphenyl in 10ml of dry 1,4-dioxane was then added. A solution of 2.47 g (22 mmol) ofpotassium tert-butoxide in 22 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane was then addeddropwise to the vigorously stirred mixture over the course of 5 minutes.During this addition, the color changed from colorless via yellow toorange-red. After 5 minutes, a further 2.47 g (22 mmol) of potassiumtert-butoxide, dissolved in 22 ml of 1,4-dioxane, were added. After themixture had been stirred at 98-99° C. for 2 hours, it was cooled to 42°C. A mixture of 6 ml of acetic acid and 6 ml of 1,4-dioxane was thenadded. The orange, cloudy solution was poured into 0.6 l of vigorouslystirred water. The polymer, which precipitated in flake form, wasisolated by filtration through a polypropylene filter and dried underreduced pressure. The crude yield was 2.46 g (6.56 mmol, 82%).

[0398] The polymer was dissolved in 330 ml of THF with heating toreflux. It was precipitated by dropwise addition of 350 ml of methanol.After the product had been dried under reduced pressure, it wasdissolved in 300 ml of THF and precipitated by addition of 300 ml ofmethanol. Washing with methanol and drying under reduced pressure gave1.62 g (=4.32 mmol, 54%) of polymer V5 as orange fibers.

[0399]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ(ppm) =7.9-6.5 (br. m, 4.7 H); 4.4-3.6(br. m, 5 H); 3.0-2.7 (br. m, 3.5% bisbenzyl); 2.0-0.7 (br. m, 19 H).

[0400] Owing to the tendency of polymer V5 to gel, a GPC measurementcould not be carried out.

EXAMPLE V6 Polymerization of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (polymer V6) bydehydrohalogenation Preparation ofpoly[2-(3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)phenyl)-p-phenylenevinylene]

[0401] 640 g (619 ml) of dry 1,4-dioxane were introduced into a dryreaction apparatus (2 l four-necked round-bottomed flask fitted withreflux condenser, mechanical stirrer, dropping funnel and thermometer)and degassed by passing through N₂ for 15 minutes. After switching overto an N₂ blanket, the dioxane was heated to 98° C. 3.26 g (8.00 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl (dissolved in 30ml of dry 1,4-dioxane) were then added to the boiling solution. Asolution of 2.33 g (20.8 mmol, 2.6 eq) of potassium tert-butoxide in 21ml of dry 1,4-dioxane was added dropwise over the course of 5 minutes;during this addition, the color of the reaction mixture changed fromcolorless to green. After 5 minutes, a further 1.8 g (16 mmol, 2 eq) ofpotassium tert-butoxide (dissolved in 18 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane) wereadded over the course of one minute. The mixture was stirred at 98° C.for a further 2 hours, during which the color changed from green toyellow-green. The reaction solution was cooled to 50° C., and a mixtureof 3 ml of acetic acid and 3 ml of 1,4-dioxane was added. The mixturewas stirred for a further 20 minutes and then poured into 700 ml ofwater with vigorous stirring. After 100 ml of methanol had been added,the polymer (fine green fibers) was filtered off with suction through apolypropylene circular filter and washed with 100 ml of methanol/water1:1 and then with 100 ml of pure methanol. Drying at room temperatureunder reduced pressure gave 2.60 g (7.77 mmol, 97%) of crude polymer V6.

[0402] The purification was carried out by dissolving the polymer in 300ml of THF (60° C.), cooling to 30° C. and precipitating the product bydropwise addition of 300 ml of methanol. The product was washed with 100ml of methanol and dried at room temperature under reduced pressure.This procedure was repeated a further twice with 260 ml of THF/260 ml ofmethanol each time. 1.85 g (5.53 mmol, 69%) of polymer V6 were obtainedas green-fluorescent fibrous polymer.

[0403]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): (ppm)=7.8-57.02 (br. m, 7 H; H_(arom));6.92, 6.67 (br. s, together 2H; olefin-H); 3.99 (br. s, 2 H; OCH₂); 1.82(br. s, 1 H; aliph. H); 1.72-1.45 (m, 3H); 1.40-1.08 (m, 6H), 0.91 (s,3H; CH₃); 0.85 (s, 3H; CH₃); 0.83 (s, 3H; CH₃).

[0404] GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid; column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000(PSS), 35° C., UV detection 254 nm, polystyrene standard: M_(w)=6.3×10⁵g/mol, M_(n)=6.8×10⁴ g/mol.

EXAMPLE V7 Homopolymerization of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene(polymer V7) Preparation ofpoly(2-methoxy-5-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene)

[0405] A 4 l four-necked flask fitted with mechanical (Teflon) stirrer,reflux condenser, thermometer and dropping funnel was dried by heating(hair drier) and flushed with N₂. It was then filled with 2.3 l of dry1,4-dioxane, and, for degassing, N₂ was passed through the solvent forabout 15 minutes. The flask was heated to 98° C. in an oil bath, and14.0 g (38.7 mmol) of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-1-methoxy-4-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)benzene wereadded as solid (rinsing with about 10 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane). 11.3 g(100 mmol, 2.6 eq) of potassium tert-butoxide, dissolved in 100 ml of1,4-dioxane, were added dropwise to the reaction solution over thecourse of 5 minutes via the dropping funnel. During this addition, thereaction mixture changed color from colorless via greenish toyellow/orange, and the viscosity increased significantly. When theaddition was complete, the mixture was stirred at 98° C. for about 5more minutes, and then 8.70 g of potassium tert-butoxide (77 mmol, 2 eq)in 100 ml of dry 1,4-dioxane were added over the course of one minute,and the mixture was stirred at 96-98° C. for a further 2 hours. Thesolution was then cooled to 50° C. over the course of about 2 hours. 15ml (260 mmol, 1.5 eq, based on the base) of acetic acid (diluted withthe same amount of dioxane) were finally added to the reaction, and themixture was stirred for a further 20 minutes. The solution was then deeporange. For work-up, the reaction solution was poured slowly into 2.5 lof vigorously stirred water. The mixture was stirred for a further 10minutes, 200 ml of methanol were added, and the precipitated polymer wasfiltered off, washed with 200 ml of methanol and dried at roomtemperature under reduced pressure, giving 10.04 g (34.8 mmol, 90%) ofcrude polymer as red fibers.

[0406] Purification was carried out by dissolving the polymer in 1.1 lof THF (60° C.), cooling the solution to 40° C. and precipitating theproduct by dropwise addition of 1.2 l of methanol. After the product hadbeen washed with 200 ml of methanol, it was dried at room temperatureunder reduced pressure. This procedure was repeated again with 1.0 l ofTHF/1.0 l of methanol. 6.03 9 (20.9 mmol, 54%) of polymer V7 wereobtained as dark-orange fibrous polymer.

[0407]¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): (ppm)=7.7-6.5 (br. m, 4 H; H_(arom),olefin-H); 4.5-3.6 (br. m, 5 H; OCH₃, OCH₂); 2.9 (br. s, bisbenzyl(3,5%)); 2.1-0.6 (br. m, 19H; aliph. H). GPC: THF+0.25% oxalic acid;column set SDV500, SDV1000, SDV10000 (PSS), 35° C., UV detection 254 nm,polystyrene standard: M_(w)=1.2×10⁶ g/mol, M_(n)=1.1×10⁵ g/mol.

[0408] Part 3: Production and Characterization of LEDs

[0409] LEDs were produced by the general process outlined below.Naturally, this had to be adapted to the particular circumstances (forexample polymer viscosity and optimum layer thickness of the polymer inthe device) in individual cases. The LEDs described below were in eachcase one-layer systems, i.e. substrate//ITO///polymer//negativeelectrode.

[0410] General process for the production of high-efficiency long-lifeLEDs:

[0411] After the ITO-coated substrates (for example glass support, PETfoil) have been cut to the correct size, they are cleaned in a number ofcleaning steps in an ultrasound bath (for example soap solution,Millipore water, isopropanol).

[0412] For drying, they are blown with an N₂ gun and stored in adesiccator. Before coating with the polymer, they are treated with anozone plasma unit for about 20 minutes. A solution of the respectivepolymer (in general with a concentration of 4-25 mg/ml in, for example,toluene, chlorobenzene, xylene:cyclohexanone (4:1)) is prepared anddissolved by stirring at room temperature. Depending on the polymer, itmay also be advantageous to stir the solution at 50-70° C. for sometime. When the polymer has dissolved completely, it is filtered througha 5 μm or smaller filter and coated on at variable speeds (400-6000)using a spin coater. The layer thicknesses can be varied thereby in therange from about 50 to 300 nm.

[0413] Electrodes are then applied to the polymer films. This isgenerally carried out by thermal evaporation (Balzer BA360 or PfeifferPL S 500). The transparent ITO electrode is then connected as positiveelectrode and the metal electrode (for example Ca) as negativeelectrode, and the device parameters are determined.

[0414] The results obtained using the polymers described are shown inTable 1: TABLE 1 Polymer Polymer Max. luminance EL I/Area for Exampleconc. Spin speed TBB efficiency λ_(max) U for 100 100 cd/m² [a] [mg/ml][rpm] content [%] Cd/A [nm] Color cd/m² [V] [mA/cm²] P1 5 2000 1.4% 3.6586 yellow-orange 3.2 2.9 P2 5 1800 4.8% 12.8 555 yellow 2.9 0.9 P3 52500 1.8% 7.8 565 yellow 3.9 1.4 P4 5 1800 1.0% 3.2 579 yellow-orange3.2 2.8 P5 5 600 4.7% 2.9 578 yellow-orange 3.4 3.0 P6 5 2000 4.4% 11.8555 yellow 3.1 0.9 P7 5 1900 4.6% 10.7 544 yellow 3.3 1.1 P8 6 3700 5.0%9.1 551 yellow 3.1 1.5 P9 5 1000 8.5% 7.3 535 green-yellow 3.9 2.6 P105(Cl- 1300 9.5% 4.0 540 yellow-green 4.6 4.0 benzene) P11 5 2000 3.3%3.1 581 yellow-orange 3.2 1.8 P12 5 800 6.0% 9.7 555 yellow 3.2 1.3 P135(Cl- 1000 7.0% 3.4 550 yellow 5.2 4.4 benzene) P14 5 1400 8.5% 8.6 528green-yellow 3.8 1.4 P15 5 2000 5.5% 9.2 560 yellow 3.4 1.3 P16 5 15004.0% 8.6 552 yellow 3.2 1.2 P17 5 1000 4.5% 9.0 549 yellow-green 3.1 1.1V1 5 [b] 500 7.0% 3.0 587 yellow-orange 4.3 4.4 V2 5 1000 12.3%  4.6 517green 5.1 4.6 V3 5 3000 7.0% 3.1 581 yellow-orange 4.5 5.0 V4 5 90012.0%  4.0 547 yellow 5.6 5.6 V5 5 2000 3.5% 1.2 591 orange 3.4 5.1 V6 82200 12.5%  5.9 519 green 4.4 3.8 V7 6 [b] 1100 3.5% 1.2 591 orange 3.55.3

[0415] The polymers according to the invention have a structuraldifference with respect to certain defect structures compared with allPPVs known hitherto prepared by dehydrohalogenation; this differencewill be explained in greater detail below without restricting theinvention or making the invention dependent on the truth content of themodel explained. This structural difference can be correlated in modelterms with the obtaining of the desired properties (long active servicelife of the corresponding LEDs; low increase in voltage).

[0416] In the dehydrohalogenation polymerization, the following takesplace—following the outlined model: the stable premonomer employed(referred to as just monomer in the text above) initially eliminates HXon contact with a strong base, resulting in the formation of the actualmonomer (quinodimethane). This reactive intermediate then polymerizesvery quickly (presumably anionically initiated) to give the prepolymer,which is converted into the actual PPV by further base-inducedelimination of HX (cf. following scheme).

[0417] So long as a uniform head/tail polymerization always occurs here,this results in a defect-free PPV. However, as soon as a polymer linesup quasi inverted (i.e. head/head and tail/tail polymerization), thisresults in the occurrence of triple and single bonds or atolan-bisbenzyl defect (TBB); cf. following scheme.

[0418] These defects can also be detected analytically in the NMR of thecorresponding polymers. The bisbenzyl unit gives a broad signal in theregion of 2.6 to 3.0 ppm (¹H NMR; CDCl₃; about 300 K). Integration ofthis signal and comparison with other main signals gives information onthe content of defective bonds. The following is now known from a numberof experiments (cf. FIG. 1 and 2 and Comparative Experiments V1-V7):2,5-dialkoxy-PPVs generally have a TBB content in the range 3-5% (TBBcontent: content of single+triple bonds based on the total number of“vinylic bonds”). Copolymers containing dialkoxy-PPV units andaryl-substituted PPV units have a higher TBB content, which is dependenton the monomer ratio. Homopolymers, which are 2-aryl-substituted PPVs,have a TBB content of greater than 12%. A surprisingly found feature ofthe polymers according to the invention is that the TBB content issignificantly lower than that of comparative polymers which have nofurther substituents in the 5- or 6-position, i.e. in addition to thearyl substituent on the phenyl ring: thus, for example, a 50/50copolymer comprising dialkoxy-PPV monomers and 5-methoxy-2-aryl-PPVmonomers has a TBB content of about 1.5% (compared with about 6-8% forthe corresponding polymer without methoxy substitution) (cf. Ex. P1).Analogously, a 50/50 copolymer between aryl-PPV monomers and5-methoxy-2-aryl-PPV monomers has a TBB content of about 5-6% (comparedwith about 12% for the corresponding polymer without methoxysubstitution) (cf. Ex. P2).

[0419] This lower TBB content surprisingly results (cf. table below) ina significant reduction in the voltage increase (in each case based oncomparable polymers) and also in greater active service lives. Thus, thestructural characteristic described here for the polymers according tothe invention can be regarded retrospectively as the scientific basisfor the desirable properties surprisingly found. TABLE 2 Poly- TBBT_(1/2) dU/dt^([a]) mer M1 [%] M2 [%] M3 [%] [%] [h]^([a]) [mV/h] V1

50%

50%   7% 90 120 V2

50%

50% 12.3% 1 1500 V3

50%

50%   7% 80 120 V4   12% 1.5 1000 V5

82%

18%  3.5% 80 45 V6

100% 12.5% 1 1500 V7

100%  3.5% 100 40 P1

50%

50%  1.4% 280 10 P2

50%

50%  4.8% 200 15 P3

25%

75%  1.8% 300 5 P4

25%

75%  1.0% 800 2 P5  4.7% 750 4 P6

50%

50%  4.4% 1250 1.5 P7

50%

50%  4.6% 560 4 P8

50%

 5.0% 1100 1.2 P9

50%

50%  8.5% 130 30 P10

40%

60%  9.5% 55 110 P11

50%

30%

20%  3.3% 2600 <1 P12  6.0% 550 5 P13

50%

50%  7.0% 110 35 P14

50%

50%  8.5% 180 20 P15

50%

50%  5.5% 100 50 P16

40%

30%

30%  4.0% 280 8 P17

50%  4.5% 145 17

1. A poly(arylenevinylene) comprising at least 20% of recurring units ofthe formula (I),

where the symbols and indices have the following meanings: Aryl: is anaryl group having 4 to 14 carbon atoms; R′: is a substituent which iseither in the labeled phenylene position 5 or 6 and is CN, F, Cl,N(R¹R²) or a straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkoxy orthioalkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, in which, in addition, oneor more H atoms may be replaced by F; R″: are identical or different andare CN, F, Cl or a straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl or alkoxygroup having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, where one or more non-adjacent CH₂groups may be replaced by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—, —O—CO—, —NR¹—,—(NR²R³)³⁰—A⁻ or —CONR⁴—, and where one or more H atoms may be replacedby F, or an aryl group having 4 to 14 carbon atoms, which may besubstituted by one or more non-aromatic radicals R′; R¹, R², R³, R⁴ areidentical or different and are H or an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbonradical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; A⁻: is a singly charged anion or anequivalent thereof; and n: is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or
 5. 2. Apoly(arylenevinylene) as claimed in claim 1, which has from 10 to 10,000recurring units.
 3. A poly(arylenevinylene) as claimed in claim 1 and/or2, essentially consisting of recurring units of the formula (I).
 4. Apoly(arylenevinylene) as claimed in claim 1 and/or 2, which is acopolymer.
 5. A poly(arylenevinylene) as claimed in claim 4, whichcomprises at least two different recurring units of the formula (I). 6.A poly(arylenevinylene) as claimed in claim 5, which, besides one ormore recurring units of the formula (I), comprises one or more furtherpoly(arylenevinylene) recurring units.
 7. A poly(arylenevinylene) asclaimed in claim 6, which comprises one or more2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene recurring units.
 8. Apoly(arylenevinylene) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims,where the symbols and indices in the formula (I) have the followingmeanings: Aryl is phenyl, 1- or 2-naphthyl, 1-, 2- or 9-anthracenyl, 2-,3- or 4-pyridinyl, 2-, 4- or 5-pyrimidinyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3- or4-pyridazinyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinolinyl, 2- or3-thiophenyl, 2- or 3-pyrrolyl, 2- or 3-furanyl or2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl; R′ are identical or different and are CN, F, Cl,CF₃ or a straight-chain or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbonatoms; R″ are identical or different and are a straight-chain orbranched alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and n is 0,1, 2 or 3, particularly preferably 0, 1 or
 2. 9. A poly(arylenevinylene)as claimed in claim 8, wherein aryl in the formula (1) is phenyl,1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl or 9-anthracenyl.
 10. A poly(arylenevinylene) asclaimed in claim 9, wherein, in the recurring unit of the formula (I),the aryl substituent has the following substitution pattern: 2-, 3- or4-alkyl(oxy)phenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or3,5-dialkyl(oxy)phenyl, 2,3,4,- 2,3,5-, 2,3,6-, 2,4,5-, 2,4,6- or3,4,5-trialkyl(oxy)phenyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or8-alkyl(oxy)-1-naphthyl, 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or8-alkyl(oxy)-2-naphthyl or 10-alkyl(oxy)-9-anthracenyl.
 11. A processfor the preparation of a poly(arylenevinylene) as claimed in one or moreof claims 1 to 10, which comprises polymerizing one or more monomerscomprising one or more polymerizable biaryls of the formula (II),

in which Hal and Hal′ are identical or different and are Cl, Br or I,and the other symbols and indices are as defined in the formula (I), viabase-induced dehydrohalogenation.
 12. The use of a poly(arylenevinylene)as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 10 as electroluminescentmaterial.
 13. An electroluminescent material comprising one or morepoly(arylenevinylene) as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to
 10. 14. Aprocess for the production of an electroluminescent material as claimedin claim 13, which comprises applying one or more poly(arylenevinylene)comprising recurring units of the formula (I) as a film to a substrate,which, if desired, contains further layers.
 15. An electroluminescentdevice containing one or more active layers, where at least one of theseactive layers comprises one or more poly(arylenevinylenes) as claimed inone or more of claims 1 to
 10. 16. A poly(arylenevinylene) as claimed inone of claims 1 to 10, wherein the proportion of TBB defect structuresis less than 10%.
 17. A polymerizable biaryl derivative of the formula(II)

in which Hal and Hal¹ are identical or different and are Cl, Br or I,and the other symbols and indices are as defined in the formula (I),with the exception of2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-4′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl and2,5-bis(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-3′-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)biphenyl.
 18. Apolymerizable biaryl derivative as claimed in claim 17, wherein thesubstituent R¹ is a straight-chain or branched alkoxy group having 1 to10 carbon atoms, particularly preferably methoxy.
 19. A process for thepreparation of a polymerizable biaryl derivative as claimed in claim 17or 18, wherein at least one C-C coupling reaction is carried out in thepresence of a catalyst containing palladium.
 20. The use of apoly(arylenevinylene) as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 10 as anorganic semiconductor, wherein the poly(arylenevinylene) is processed asa solution in an organic solvent.